New Zealand secured a dominant victory, chasing down thier target with ease thanks to a stellar performance from Tim Seifert. The opening partnership between Seifert and Devon Conway (14) set the tone, amassing the tournament’s highest score during the batting power play and propelling New Zealand to 55-1 in the first six overs. South Africa’s bowling attack struggled with consistency, conceding 17 wides and failing to contain the aggressive start.
Despite a late breakthrough by Simelane, who found the edge of Conway’s bat, and two crucial wickets from spinner Senuran Muthusamy (2-24) against rachin Ravindra (3) and Mark Chapman (10), Seifert remained a formidable force. He reached his half-century off 38 balls with a powerful six, showcasing his dominance. The South African fielding effort was further marred by a misfield from fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, whose low full toss was expertly dispatched by Seifert for the winning boundary.
South Africa’s Top Order Falters
South africa’s batting lineup struggled to gain traction on a challenging two-paced wicket after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field. Rassie van der dussen (14) showed brief flashes of form with three boundaries but was undone by an enterprising shot against Adam Milne, who clean-bowled him. Chapman executed a breathtaking run-out of Rubin hermann, sprinting from mid-wicket and diving to break the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
The South African innings unraveled further when Dewald Brevis, a key batter, edged a delivery from Will O’Rourke to wicketkeeper Seifert in the 10th over. Captain Mitchell Santner effectively stifled the middle order, taking two wickets for 26 runs, including that of Lhuan-dre Pretorius (1), who had been moved down the order. Jacob Duffy (2-33) played a notable role in dismantling the lower order, first removing Hendricks caught at cover after a patient 37-ball innings, and then claiming the wicket of Gerald Coetzee, who also attempted an upper-cut and was caught by Seifert for his second dismissal.
