The 5th T20I of the South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026 will feature New Zealand national cricket team taking on South Africa national cricket team on March 25, 2026. The match will be played at the Hagley Oval.
Both teams have produced competitive matches throughout the series. South Africa won the previous game, while New Zealand had earlier victories that kept the contest balanced. The final match of the series will be important for both sides as they look to finish the tour on a winning note.
Hagley Oval is known for producing balanced T20 games where both batters and bowlers can influence the result depending on conditions.
NZ vs SA Match Details
| Match | New Zealand vs South Africa |
|---|---|
| Series | SA vs NZ 2026 |
| Match | 5th T20I |
| Date | 25 March 2026 |
| Time | 11:45 AM IST |
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Broadcast | Sony Sports TEN Network |
| Streaming | Sony LIV, Fancode, Prime Video |
New Zealand Team Preview
New Zealand will aim to bounce back after their defeat in the previous match. The team is led by Mitchell Santner, who provides valuable contributions as an all-rounder.
The batting lineup includes players such as Devon Conway, Tom Latham, and Tim Robinson, who can anchor the innings and accelerate when required.
New Zealand also rely on several all-rounders including Jimmy Neesham, Cole McConchie, and Josh Clarkson, giving the team flexibility in both batting and bowling.
Their pace attack includes Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, and Ben Sears, who can take advantage of the pace-friendly conditions in Christchurch.
Also see: NZ vs SA Dream11 Prediction Today Match 5th T20I
South Africa Team Preview
South Africa will enter this match with confidence after winning the fourth T20I. The team is captained by spinner Keshav Maharaj, who plays an important role in controlling the middle overs.
The batting lineup includes Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, and Jason Smith, while Connor Esterhuizen provides wicketkeeping support.
All-rounders Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, and Andile Simelane add balance to the team.
Their bowling attack includes Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, and Lutho Sipamla, who can generate pace and bounce on this surface.
Also see: NZ W vs SA W Toss Prediction 5th T20
Pitch Report – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Hagley Oval offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Fast bowlers often get assistance early, but once batters settle, they can score freely.
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 159 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 143 |
| Highest Total | 236/4 |
| Lowest Total | 91 |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace dominates |
| Weather | Cloudy |
| Temperature | Around 17°C |
| Rain Chance | Very low |
Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and set a competitive total.
Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Results |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | L, W, W, L, L |
| South Africa | W, L, L, W, L |
South Africa have shown slightly better recent form heading into this match.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches | New Zealand Wins | South Africa Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | 4 |
New Zealand still hold a small advantage in recent meetings between the two teams.
Key Players to Watch
| Team | Players |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Devon Conway, Jimmy Neesham |
| South Africa | Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj |
These players could play a major role in deciding the outcome of the match.
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand
Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Mitchell Santner (c), Jimmy Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears
South Africa
Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, Dian Forrester, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Lutho Sipamla, Keshav Maharaj (c)
NZ vs SA Match Prediction
Both teams have competitive squads, but South Africa may have a slight advantage after their recent victory and balanced bowling attack.
| Scenario | Predicted Score | Likely Winner |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand bat first | 160–170 | South Africa |
| South Africa bat first | 165–175 | South Africa |
Prediction: South Africa are slightly favored to win the fifth T20I thanks to their recent momentum and strong pace attack.









