The Dolphins batter, Marques Ackerman, will continue to lead the South African side for the upcoming trip to New Zealand, which is set to take place later this month. The two teams will lock horns for the 50-over fixtures at Willowmoore Park in Benoni from August 30 to September 03 before the focus shifts to the four-day clashes at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom and Benoni. 

Both squads have a core group of players who recently made their trips to the Caribbean, where Ackerman led the Proteas’ A-side to the commanding 2-0 series victories in the one-day and four-day games. The two international pacers, Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka, will feature in both squads as the former aims to get back his sharpness with the ball.

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North West Dragons’ batter, Rubin Hermann, who made his T20I debut during the tri-series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand, has been named in the 50-over squad. The Lions’ batter, Zubayr Hamza, has returned to the squad of the Rainbow Nation as a part of the four-day squad.

South Africa announce strong squad for upcoming men's South Africa A tour to New Zealand

Head coach, Wandile Gwavu, expressed that with the teams doing fabulously well in the West Indies trip, they have kept faith in the players to display another superb performance against the Blackcaps at home.

“I was impressed with how Marques led the team during the West Indies tour. The entire changeroom wanted to play for him, and that’s always a great sign. It was an easy decision to back him again, and I’m looking forward to working with him on this upcoming tour.” Gwavu said in the press conference.

“Gerald and Kwena add valuable international experience and skill, and with Bjorn Fortuin unavailable due to a groin injury, Tsepo’s selection is well deserved based on his recent performances. Playing in our backyard in familiar conditions is an added advantage.” The head coach of the side shed light.

South Africa one-day squad against New Zealand A

Marques Ackerman (captain), Okuhle Cele, Gerald Coetzee, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile, Andile Simelane, and Jason Smith.

South Africa four-day squad against New Zealand A

Marques Ackerman (captain), Okuhle Cele, Gerald, Schalk Engelbrecht, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Tristan Luus, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lesego Senokwane, Jason Smith, and Codi Yusuf.

Before their last game in the league stage against the hosts, New Zealand confirmed their top place in the final points table in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe after claiming a comfortable seven-wicket win against South Africa. 

While New Zealand and South Africa both have already qualified for the Final of the tri-series, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner chose to field first in the fifth game of the tournament. After South Africa were restricted to 134/8 in 20 overs, the Blackcaps chased down the target in 15.5 overs after losing only three wickets. By winning the match with 25 balls remaining, it was the fastest T20I chase for New Zealand against South Africa. 

While the Blackcaps recorded their back-to-back T20I wins against Proteas in this tournament, it was their first consecutive T20I victories against the same team. 

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New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I tri-series: South African innings failed to threaten

South African batting struggled from the early stage of the first innings, as their wickets were falling at regular intervals. Only the opener Reeza Hendricks (41) and George Linde (23*) managed to reach the 20-run marks in that innings. There was no solid partnership in that innings, while the highest was 30 runs for the sixth wicket between Hendricks and Linde. 

Three Blackcaps bowlers bagged two wickets each in that innings, as Adam Milne (2/21) and Mitchell Santner (2/26) controlled the innings along with Jacob Duffy (2/33). 

New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I tri-series: Player of the Match Tim Seifert assured comfortable chase

In reply, the opener and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, the Player of the Match, almost single-handedly controlled the successful chasing with his 66 not out off 48 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. Darly Mitchell (20*) was the other to reach the 20-run mark in that second innings. Devon Conway (19), Rachin Ravindra (3), and Mark Chapman (10) were dismissed for cheap scores, while Seifert and Mitchell had a 51-run partnership for the unbroken fourth wicket. 

From a rough start, New Zealand managed a solid win in their first outing in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe, as they defeated South Africa by 21 runs to earn two points.

After South Africa chose to field first, New Zealand scored 173/5 in 20 overs. In reply, Proteas were all out for 152 runs, as the Blackcaps recorded their second successful defending against South Africa in T20I cricket.

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Tim Robinson and Bevan Jacobs set a record partnership after early falls

Although the New Zealand opener Tim Seifert had a good start, once he was dismissed for 22 runs off 16 balls (four fours) in the third over, the Blackcaps batting faced heat from the Proteas bowling line-up. New Zealand were down to 70/5 before the completion of the 10th over, as all four other batters failed to reach double-digit scores.

However, Tim Robinson and the T20I debutant Bevon Jacobs controlled the second half of the innings strongly, as they set up the second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20I history with 103 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket. The record partnership for the sixth wicket is also with New Zealand's name, as Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell set up the 105-run partnership against Sri Lanka during the 2024 Mount Maunganui T20I. 

Robinson recorded his second T20I half-century in 42 balls and scored 75 not out off 57 balls with six fours and three sixes. Meanwhile, the T20I debutant Jacobs scored 44 not out off 30 balls with one four and three sixes. Among South African bowlers, only Kwena Mphaka managed more than one wicket (2/38) in that innings. 

South Africa were never strong at chasing

In reply, South Africa were battling at 50/2 at the end of the powerplay, and soon down to 62/5 in the ninth over. Dewald Brevis once again shone with his bat, while George Linde also produced a fightback. With the help of one four and three sixes, Brevis scored 35 off 18 balls. In the meantime, Linde scored 30 off 20 balls with one four and two sixes. Finally, Gerald Coetzee's 17 runs weren't enough for the Proteas. 

Among the New Zealand bowlers, Matt Henry (3/34) and Jacob Duffy (3/20) both picked up two wickets each. Also, Ish Sodhi took two wickets (2/34) and captain Mitchell Santner had a wicket (1/35).

SA vs NZ Match Preview

South Africa will take on New Zealand in the 2nd game of the T20I tri-series, which is being hosted in Zimbabwe. The most recent Tri-series took place three years ago. The game is scheduled to be played at Harare Sports Club in Harare on July 16th at 4:30 p.m. South Africa started the series with a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, and New Zealand is playing this T20I after a four-month break.

SA vs NZ Match Details

South Africa vs New Zealand – 2nd Match, Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, 2025

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Date & Time: 16th July 2025 at 04:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

SA vs NZ Venue Stats

SA vs NZ Pitch Report

It is an ideal bowling pitch. It is a haven for both batters and bowlers because it provides balance throughout all innings.

SA vs NZ Weather Report

The weather in Derby is expected to remain cloudy on match day, with conditions ranging from 9 to 22 degrees Celsius 

SA vs NZ Last Five Matches

SA vs NZ Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

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SA vs NZ Probable Playing XIs:

New Zealand Probable Playing XIs

Mitchell Santner (c), Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchel, Will O'Rourke, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Mitch Hay, Jimmy Neesham

South Africa Probable Playing XIs

Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Nqabayomzi Peter, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Topmost Picks for SA vs NZ Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – South Africa

• Reeza Hendricks – Reeza Hendricks has played over 78 T20Is and scored 2282 runs at a strike rate of 132.
• George Linde – George Linde took 3 wickets and ten runs in the first game. He now has eight wickets in his previous 3 T20Is at an economy rate of 5.6.

Top Picks – New Zealand

• Tim Seifert – Tim Seifert earned 249 runs in a 5 match series versus Pakistan at a strike rate of over 200.
• Will O'Rourke –  Will O'Rourke has 21 wickets in the last nine T20Is at an economy rate of six.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for SA vs NZ Dream11 Team:

Tim Seifert, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rachin Ravindra(C), Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde(VC), Corbin Bosch, Mitchell Bracewell, Will O'Rourke, Matt Henry, Nandre Burger

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Rachin Ravindra, Charith Asalanka

Vice-captain – George Linde, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 

Wicketkeeper – Kusal Mendis

SA vs NZ Probable Winners:

South Africa will face a difficult task as it plays against a team other than Zimbabwe for the first time. New Zealand has appeared out of touch with the shortest format for the past four months, but all of their players have demonstrated their abilities in various T20 leagues around the world. In terms of batting and bowling, they have a better lineup than South Africa. On the other hand, South Africa's batting lineup is dependent on Dewald Brewis' explosive batting. Considering the team combination, New Zealand is expected to win this match.