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New Zealand vs South Africa 1st T20 Preview & Tips - New Zealand backed for win over Proteas in first T20

Ben Darvill

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Last updated: 12 Mar 2026

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Ben Darvill 12 Mar 2026

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The pair will play across five T20 matches
New Zealand beat South Africa in the recent T20 World Cup semi-final
Preview, stats & head to head

New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner (Getty Images)

New Zealand vs South Africa 1st T20 Preview & Tips
Head To Head
New Zealand Form
South Africa Form

New Zealand vs South Africa 1st T20 Preview & Tips

New Zealand return to the T20 game mere days after their T20 World Cup final defeat to India last weekend.

South Africa slipped to a stunning nine-wicket loss to New Zealand in their last T20 outing as they were dumped out of the T20 World Cup at the semi-final stage.

The Black Caps have won four of their last five T20's against South Africa (L1)
Mitchell Santner has a strike rate of 20.23 in the T20 game for New Zealand

Head To Head

New Zealand have won five of their last 10 against South Africa in the shortest format with the Proteas winning the other five.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand would have been hoping for a slightly longer break following their stunning 96-run loss to India in the T20 World Cup final last weekend.

However, the Black Caps make a near-instant return to the pitch to take on a South African side that will have revenge at the forefront of their minds. For New Zealand, this is a great chance to get back to winning ways at the first time of asking as they were once again denied the chance to win a World Cup.

Mitchell Santner leads a much-changed side in this series, with some newer players given the chance to shine. With so much change for the home side, Santner himself will be keen to star with the ball. He currently boasts a strike rate of 20.23 in the T20 game, and I back him to make a mark with the ball in game one.

South Africa Form

South Africa were once again left to rue what might have been as they saw a perfect run at the World Cup end with them missing out on a shot at the trophy. The group-stage and Super 8's saw the Proteas go unbeaten, but they were then humbled in a nine-wicket loss to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

While South Africa will target victory in this one, Keshav Maharaj leads a much-changed side in this series. With the likes of Aiden Markram missing, South Africa will need others to stand up, with this a major chance to show the South Africa selectors what they can do.

Despite this being a glorious chance to make a name for themselves, I back the touring party to slip to a defeat. Travelling to take on New Zealand is never an easy assignment, and I predict that this young side will have to learn some hard lessons in this series.

Verdict

New Zealand v South Africa 1st T20

I am backing Santner to star with the ball as New Zealand edge to victory in the first T20.

New Zealand

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