LIVE | NZ vs SA Live Score Today New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team, 5th T20I Updates: Mulder-Hermann Rebuild For Proteas | SA- 73/1 After 9 Overs

Catch NZ vs SA Live score, NZ vs SA T20 live updates, and ball-by-ball commentary of New Zealand vs South Africa at Hagley Oval in Christchurch here on NewsX. You can watch the live streaming of NZ vs SA T20 on Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV app, and FanCode.

NZ vs SA 5th T20I Live Score and Updates: Zakary Foulkes struck first in the innings as the right-arm pacer dismissed Tony de Zorzi in the fourth over. It was a sedate start to the clash, as South Africa played 17 dot balls in the first four overs of the clash. Stay tuned for NZ vs SA live score, live cricket score, NZ vs SA live cricket score, live score, NZ vs SA live match updates, key moments, and real-time coverage from this blockbuster NZ vs SA encounter here on NewsX.

Earlier, New Zealand won the toss in the crucial series decider and opted to bowl first at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. 

As the two teams gear up for the series decider, one thing is certain: there will be no shortage of action in Christchurch. 

New Zealand Preview

New Zealand’s leading run-scorers in the series, Devon Conway and Tom Latham, missed out on the previous game. While Conway will miss the series-decider as he prepares for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Latham was ruled out of the fifth T20I after a minor to his thumb. The Kiwis are without their regular captain, Mitchell Santner, for the last two games as he has already joined the Mumbai Indians before the IPL 2026. The hosts could field a lone-man spin-attack featuring Cole McConchie. In the absence of regular bowling attack leaders like Santner, Matt Henry, and Ish Sodhi, the hosts will turn to Ben Sears to continue his fine form. The right-arm pacer has already picked up six wickets in the series so far.

South Africa Preview

For South Africa, the ongoing series has been a medium to test players from the domestic circuit. They have successfully tested some of the young prospects. Connor Esterhuizen has been one of the revelations of the tour for the Proteas. The right-handed batter is leading the run-scoring charts, having scored 125 in four games. Esterhuizen has been the top scorer for South Africa in the two games they have won in the series. 

In the bowling department, skipper Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee have been crucial. Both of the bowlers have picked up six wickets each. However, it is Coetzee, with an economy of only 6.47 runs per over, who has managed to exert a lot of pressure on the New Zealand batters.

New Zealand Squad

James Neesham (C), Katene Clark, Tim Robinson (wk), Dane Cleaver, Bevon Jacobs, Nick Kelly, Josh Clarkson, Zakary Foulkes, Cole McConchie, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears, Jayden Lennox

South Africa Squad

Keshav Maharaj (C), Tony de Zorzi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Prenelan Subrayen, Dian Forrester, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Lutho Sipamla, Rubin Hermann, Andile Simelane, Nqobani Mokoena

NZ vs SA: Head To Head

South Africa holds a massive lead when it comes to the head-to-head record between the two teams. The Proteas have won 14 of the 24 T20Is these teams have played against each other.