SA 177/6 in 20.0 Overs - Live New Zealand Vs South Africa Final T20 2025

SCORECARD COMMENTARY

NZ WON

T20

NZ beat SA by 3 runs

Man of the Match - Matt Henry

180-5

20.0/20 Ovrs

177-6

20.0/20 Ovrs

T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, 2025 |Final |7/26/2025
Harare Sports Club, Harare

Commentary

And that wraps up the Tri-Nation Series, with New Zealand crowned champions after an unbeaten run throughout the tournament. It’s now time for the trophy presentation as the Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner steps up, joins his teammates, and lifts the silverware high before posing for the cameras. Up next, the Kiwis shift focus to a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, starting on 30th July. As for South Africa, they will lock horns with Australia in a three-match T20I series, beginning on 10th August. As always, make sure to join us early for all the action. Until then, it’s goodbye and cheers!
Mitchell Santner, the victorious skipper of New Zealand, says they hung in there and reckons 180 was a good total. Adds that they would have wanted a few more, but South Africa bowled well in the death. Adds that this was the best surface and says that the guys have stepped up throughout the series. Tells this was a tough one, but the boys did well to get over the line. Mentions that his conversation with Henry was to make Brevis hit to the bigger side as picking up wickets was there only chance to win the game.
Matt Henry is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AND SERIES (2 wickets in this game and 10 wickets overall). He says that as a group, they played some good cricket, and it was a tight game. Adds that they had to drag the length back and adapt to it as the Proteas got a good start, and they wanted to keep it tight and take the game deep. Shares that the World Cup is coming up in a few months, and the home series as well, so they have to be in good rhythm. Closes by adding that they have plenty of nice options in the team, and they are looking to go upwards from here.
Rassie van der Dussen, the captain of South Africa, says that he is proud of his team's performance. Add that he does not think they slipped up, as just a centimeter here and there, and the result would have been different. Mentions that they have tried a few different things and selected the strongest combination in this game. Says that they will learn a lot from this series and the good thing is that everyone has contributed.
Presentation Time...
New Zealand endured a tough time in the Powerplay but stayed patient and capitalized on their chances when they came. Michael Bracewell provided the crucial first breakthrough, with the rest of the attack backing him up well. The Kiwis were on the back foot for most of the chase, but sensational catches from Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell in the last over, helping Henry defend just 6 runs, sealed a thrilling win in the final.
Earlier, New Zealand put up a strong total, thanks to solid contributions from their top three, with useful cameos from the rest of the lineup. For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi led the charge with a couple of wickets, while Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, and Senuran Muthusamy picked up one each. They managed to pull things back well in the death overs, preventing the Kiwis from running away with the score.
South Africa began the chase in style, with both openers scoring freely and stitching together a 92-run stand for the first wicket. Lhuan-dre Pretorius played a fine knock, bringing up his fifty, but the momentum shifted as both openers departed in quick succession. The middle order couldn’t quite find its rhythm, yet Dewald Brevis injected life into the innings with a blistering 31 off just 16 balls, reducing the equation to 7 runs needed from the final over. However, his dismissal at a crucial moment proved decisive, as the Proteas ultimately fell agonizingly short by 3 runs.
What a finale that was! South Africa seemed to have the chase under control for the most part, but some exceptional death bowling and a couple of stunning catches turned the tide in New Zealand’s favor. The Kiwis pull off a heist to finish the Tri-Series unbeaten, proving yet again that they can snatch victory from any situation. Heartbreak for the Proteas, who fought hard but fell just short in the end.
19.6
0
Matt Henry to Senuran Muthusamy, Swing and a miss! Matt Henry takes pace off, hard length and on off, Senuran Muthusamy has a wild heave across the line but fails to connect. NEW ZEALAND WIN THE FINAL BY 3 RUNS
Senuran Muthusamy comes out to face the last ball. He needs to hit a four or a six to take his side home.
19.5
W
Matt Henry to George Linde, OUT! TAKEN! My word, what a catch! Daryl Mitchell, you beauty! He has probably grabbed the final for the Kiwis here. Matt Henry lands this short of a length and on off, George Linde tries to finish the game off and swats it down the ground and wide of long on. It looks like it's going for a boundary, but Mitchell comes out of nowhere running to his left and takes a stunning diving catch. He is pumped up and so are the Kiwis. They have turned this game around and how.
19.4
1
Matt Henry to Corbin Bosch, Pitched up and on leg Corbin Bosch chips it towards deep mid-wicket and wants the second, but Linde slips at the other end, they have to settle for one. 4 needed in 2 now!
19.3
2
Matt Henry to Corbin Bosch, DROPPED! Fuller and on middle, Corbin Bosch slog it towards deep mid-wicket but not with much timing. Michael Bracewell has the sun in his eyes, runs forward and dives but fails to grab it. Two taken.
19.2
W
Matt Henry to Dewald Brevis, OUT! TAKEN SUPERBLY IN THE DEEP! Is there another twist in the tale? Short of a length and on middle from Henry. Dewald Brevis decides to take it on and goes for the pull, connects well towards deep square leg. Michael Bracewell shows great presence of mind. He grabs and flicks the ball in time as he goes over the ropes, comes in, and completes the catch. The third umpire wants to check, and this is a crucial decision in the context of the game. After a lot of replays, he is satisfied that it is a fair catch. Brevis goes for a fiery 31 off 16. South Africa still needs 7 runs to win.
19.1
0
Matt Henry to Dewald Brevis, Superb bowling! Bangs this onto the pitch, on middle, skids through, Dewald Brevis has no room to work with and misses out on his cut.
END OF OVER 19 | 15 Runs & 0 Wkt | SA 174/4

Matt Henry (2-0-16-0) to bowl the last over. Can he defend 6 runs here?
18.6
0
Jacob Duffy to George Linde, Change of pace, good length and outside off, George Linde has a wild swing at it but only connects with thin air.
18.5
1
Jacob Duffy to Dewald Brevis, Short of a length and on middle, Dewald Brevis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
18.4
6
Jacob Duffy to Dewald Brevis, SIX! Up, up and away! Jacob Duffy misses the yorker again and bowls a full toss, on middle, Dewald Brevis gets right underneath it and dispatches it a long way over the long on fence for a biggie. Looks like the ball has been lost, but just as the briefcase comes out, someone from the crowd has thrown the ball into the ground.
18.3
0
Jacob Duffy to Dewald Brevis, Brave! Goes for the slower bouncer, outside off, Dewald Brevis tries to cut it away but misses.
18.2
2
Jacob Duffy to Dewald Brevis, Slower one, full and on middle, Dewald Brevis drags it towards long on where Daryl Mitchell comes forward to collect it. Just as he is about to throw, he loses control of the ball and allows the second run. 14 needed in 10 now!
18.1
6
Jacob Duffy to Dewald Brevis, SIX! Incredible shot! Jacob Duffy goes for the wide yorker but serves a low full toss around off, Dewald Brevis tries to take on the shorter boundary down the ground. His bottom hand comes off the bat, but he still manages to get enough power on it to send it over the long on fence for a biggie.
END OF OVER 18 | 15 Runs & 0 Wkt | SA 159/4