Debutant Nqobani Mokoena starred with the ball as the South Africa secured a dominant seven-wicket victory over the New Zealand in the first T20I at Mount Maunganui.
New Zealand were bundled out for just 91, their tenth-lowest total in T20 internationals, after South Africa’s pace trio dismantled the batting order.
Mokoena impressed on debut with figures of 3/26, while Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman shared four wickets to leave the hosts reeling inside 15 overs despite a fighting 26 from Jimmy Neesham.
Chasing a modest target, South Africa reached 93/3 with relative comfort as newcomer Connor Esterhuizen anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 45.
New Zealand attempted to slow the chase through disciplined bowling, with captain Mitchell Santner returning economical figures of 1/8, but the target proved too small to defend.
The convincing result gave South Africa a strong start in the five-match T20I series as both teams continue experimenting with new combinations following the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
