New Zealand vs South Africa Women T20 Preview & Tips - New Zealand tipped for statement pre-World Cup win over South Africa

South Africa Women eased to a 15-run win over Ireland in their last match as they made it successive wins in the shortest format. 

New Zealand have won seven of their last 10 T20's against South Africa, with the latter winning the other three. 

New Zealand Women are moving towards the World Cup on a decent run of form that has seen the side secure wins in seven of their last 10 in the shortest format. 

Their last outing ended in a 68-run win over Bangladesh that showcased their ability to score well and restrict the opposition with the ball. When batting first, New Zealand scored 193/3 as each of their top five batters scored 20 runs or more in a solid display. 

With the ball in hand, New Zealand restricted their opponents to just 125/8. While they did fail to bowl their opponents out, they impressed when restricting their counterparts to a disappointing score. All 10 wickets may not necessarily be on offer in each World Cup game, and this makes stifling the run scoring of the opposition even more important. 

South Africa constitute more of a test than Bangladesh, but New Zealand will be confident. They have impressed across their last 10 outings, while they have seven wins in their last 10 against South Africa. While this game will likely be tight, I am backing New Zealand to make it consecutive wins in the shortest format. 

South Africa Women were able to grind to a 15-run win over Ireland in their last match as the former managed to defend a score of 135/8. 

Laura Wolvaardt scored the bulk of the runs as she hammered her way to 66 from 39. With the ball, Marizanne Kapp starred as she returned figures of 4/24 as Ireland stumbled to 120 all out. While South Africa would have always backed themselves against Ireland, they will have been thankful for what was a superb test in defending a low score as their bowlers fired. 

Ahead of the World Cup, building a winning run is vital. However, South Africa face a team that will match them every step of the way. With their poor recent run against New Zealand in the T20 game in mind, I am backing South Africa to slip to a frustrating defeat.