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In a gripping second match of the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 21 runs at the Harare Sports Club. Batting first, the Kiwis posted a competitive 173/5, anchored by a composed and match-winning unbeaten 75 from Tim Robinson. The South African chase started brightly but quickly unraveled under scoreboard pressure and incisive bowling from Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, who claimed three wickets apiece. Despite late resistance from Dewald Brevis and George Linde, South Africa were bowled out for 152 in 18.2 overs, falling well short of the target.
Tim Robinson’s anchoring knock lifts New Zealand to a defendable total
New Zealand’s innings was steered by Robinson’s unbeaten 75 off 57 balls, an innings laced with six boundaries and three sixes. Despite early blows that saw Devon Conway and Tim Seifert dismissed within the Powerplay, Robinson remained unshaken at one end. Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham fell cheaply, putting added pressure on the young right-hander, but Robinson found a strong ally in debutant Bevon Jacobs. The pair shared an unbeaten 103-run stand off just 71 balls, with Jacobs playing fluently for his 44 not out off 30 balls, showcasing clean hitting with three sixes. South Africa’s bowlers, though aggressive early, failed to contain in the death overs, especially Khwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee, who were expensive. Senuran Muthusamy was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 1/19, controlling the middle overs smartly, but New Zealand’s final surge lifted them to 173, a total that looked slightly above par on a wearing surface.
Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy rip through South Africa despite Dewald Brevis’ spark
Chasing 174, South Africa started well with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks adding quick runs, but a flurry of wickets soon derailed the innings. Matt Henry removed Pretorius and later returned to dismiss both Brevis and Coetzee, ending with 3/34. Jacob Duffy’s impact was immense too, as he accounted for Hermann, Linde, and Maphaka, finishing with economical figures of 3/20.
Brevis provided a brief scare with a blistering 35 off 18 balls, including three towering sixes, while Linde chipped in with 30 off 20 to keep hopes alive. However, once the duo perished, South Africa’s tail collapsed swiftly. Ish Sodhi chipped in with two wickets, including the vital scalp of Muthusamy, and captain Mitchell Santner’s tidy spell choked the scoring. Ultimately, South Africa’s lack of partnerships in the middle overs and inability to combat the Kiwi variations cost them the game, handing New Zealand a convincing 21-run victory and early momentum in the tri-series.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Proteas getting schooled by Rob Walter. Embarrassing.
— Daan Human Stan Account (@GoTeamGoSports1)
New Zealand won by 21 Runs. Fantastic Knock. Career Best Highest individual T20I score for Tim Robinson 75*(57). Superb Knock on Debut Bevon Jacobs 44*(30). What a Spell Jacob Duffy 3/20. Excellent spell Matt Henry 3/34 and Ish Sodhi 2/34. …
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan)
George Linde & Dewald Brevis are two absolute shoe ins into our T20I side BTW!! Any game without those in our XI moving forward would be absolutely criminal!
— Lawrence Bailey 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey0)
Fabulous win by New Zealand after they were 73/5 in the 10th over against South Africa in Harare.
The Proteas will be wondering how they let that one slip.
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog)
First game: 41 off 17 vs Zimbabwe.
Second game: 35 off 18 vs New Zealand.Dewald Brevis is making some serious noise in T20Is!
The Baby AB show has officially begun for South Africa. 💥💛Csk fans ke liye bhi ye happy moment hoga
— Abhinay (@Abhinay7978)
Brevis is destructive, but his ability to read the situation still needs a lot of work
If you have 16 runs off the over in a chase and have brought the rate to under 10 per over, you should not be chucking your wicket away
Especially not with your team already 5 down
— Werner (@Werries_)
Dewald Brevis scored 35 of 18 walking in at 6, if he ups his composure in these finishes, CSK would’ve unlocked a finisher for a decade.
— Sergio (@SergioCSKK)
Victory in our opening match of the T20I Tri-Series! 3 wickets each for Jacob Duffy (3-20) & Matt Henry (3-34) to seal the win. Scorecard | 📷 = Zimbabwe Cricket
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨
An enthralling contest that went right down to the wire, a game of fine margins and big moments 💥🏏
Unfortunately, our Proteas Men fell just short as New Zealand claimed victory by 21 runs. 🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
A pretty convincing victory for New Zealand 🙌🙌
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Also READ: Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series 2025: Harare Sports Club Pitch Report, T20 Stats and Records
