New Zealand vs South Africa 2nd T20I Predictions - Esterhuizen to score big again against the Black Caps
In the upcoming match between South Africa and New Zealand, South Africa is favored to win. Key players, Connor Esterhuizen and Mitchell Santner, are expected to be top scorers for their respective teams. Odds suggest Esterhuizen has good chances to score over 32.5 runs for South Africa, while Santner may score over 36.5 runs for New Zealand. Additionally, Nqobani Mokoena is highlighted as a strong contender for being South Africa's best bowler. This analysis underscores potential match outcomes based on player performances.
- Connor Esterhuizen hit two sixes in his 48-ball 45 in the 1st T20I.
- Mitchell Santner has scored 47 & 43 in his last three innings.
- Can South Africa win back-to-back matches to claim a 2–0 series lead?
Connor Esterhuizen hits out against New Zealand (Getty Images).
New Zealand vs South Africa Predictions
An inexperienced South African side thumped New Zealand in the first T20I of their 5-match series. The Proteas attack looks to have the number on the Black Caps, so I’m backing them to win the 2nd T20I.
- New Zealand vs South Africa Predictions
- Head-to-Head
- New Zealand Form
- South Africa Form
- New Zealand vs South Africa Team News & Squads
- South Africa’s Connor Esterhuizen has scored 101*, 39* & 45* in his last 4 innings.
- South Africa’s Nqobani Mokoena took 3/26 on his T20I debut in the 1st T20I.
- New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner took 1/8 off his 4 overs (econ 2.0).
- New Zealand’s Devon Conway (1740 runs) averages 34.80 in T20Is.
Head-to-Head
South Africa have won two and lost three of their last five T20Is against New Zealand. The Proteas’ two wins came in their most recent three matches against the Black Caps.
New Zealand Form
New Zealand suffered their third defeat in four T20Is when they lost to South Africa by 7 wickets.
New Zealand’s top-order folded to 54/6 in the 10th over in the face of some strong bowling from the Proteas’ attack. James Neesham (26 off 21) was the only batter to pass 15.
Kyle Jamieson (1/28) and Zak Foulkes (1/8) gave New Zealand hope by knocking over South Africa’s first two wickets to leave them at 28/2 in the 5th over.
Mitchell Santner bowled a superb spell (4-0-8-1, econ 2.00) but it wasn’t enough to deny the Proteas a 7-wicket win with 3.2 overs to spare.
South Africa Form
South Africa made it eight wins from their last nine T20Is when they beat New Zealand by 7 wickets in the 1st T20I of their 5-match series.
Gerald Coetzee (2/14) and Ottneil Baartman (2/22) knocked over New Zealand’s top four batters to leave them reeling at 21/4 in the 4th over.
Nqobani Mokoena then put in a superb bowling display on debut to run through the Black Caps’ lower middle-order, picking up 3/26 (econ 7.42).
Connor Esterhuizen continued his good form with the bat, scoring an undefeated 45 off 48 balls on debut to guide the Proteas home.
Fellow debutant Dian Forrester chipped in with 16* off 25 balls to see the visitors home to a 7-wicket win.
New Zealand vs South Africa Team News & Squads
Victorious Proteas captain Keshav Maharaj was delighted at his side taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
"The execution was top-notch from our young bowling lineup; whatever we asked them to do, they stood up. It was a little nervy towards the end, but it showed the maturity in Connor Esterhuizen and Dian Forrester to take it over the line,” said Maharaj in the post-match interview.
“It is exciting to see the depth in the system and how the guys just fit into international cricket. Mokoena was superb today; I couldn't have asked for anything more as a captain, especially with the bat at the end to get us over the line,” added Maharaj.
Mitchell Santner admitted that his side were surprised by the pitch conditions after choosing to bat first.
"I think there was a little bit more in it than we thought, especially up front. Also, South Africa bowled really well and put us under pressure from the start. Losing wickets in the powerplay makes it tough from there,” said Santner in his post-match interview.
“Hamilton will be a different wicket with different dimensions, so you have to learn on the fly. We will reflect on the batting innings and then move on. You have the luxury of five games, so you obviously don't want to start slow like we did today,” added Santner.
New Zealand T20I squad: Mitchell Santner (c), Katene Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (c), Jayden Lennox, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.
South Africa T20I squad: Keshav Maharaj (c), Ottneil Baartman, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Prenelan Subrayen, Jason Smith.
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