NZ vs SA 3rd T20I Preview: Free Live Streaming, Pitch & Weather Report, Head-to-Head | South Africa tour of New Zealand 2026
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New Zealand ended their ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as runners-up and immediately turned to hosting the Proteas for a five-match T20I bilateral series. With the series levelled at 1-1, the NZ vs SA series advances to the 3rd T20I of the series.
The Kiwis reached the finals of the ICC tournament after defeating the South Africans in their last two ICC tournaments, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The third T20I will be captain Mitchell Santner's final game before he heads to India for the IPL, and Tom Latham takes charge as the skipper in the next two games.
New Zealand opener Devon Conway returned to score a half-century for them as New Zealand posted a decent target of 176 for the Proteas. New Zealand, back at their full strength against a second-tier Protea team, managed a massive 68-run victory with Lockie Ferguson and Benjamin Sears picking up three wickets each.
NZ vs SA 3rd T20I Match Preview:
Date and Venue:
The Eden Park in Auckland will host the 3rd T20I match of the five-match T20I series between New Zealand and South Africa on Friday, March 20th. The match is scheduled to start at 11:45 AM IST.
Squads:
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (C), Katene Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (WK), Devon Conway (WK), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (WK), Jayden Lennox, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.
South Africa: Keshav Maharaj (C), Ottneil Baartman, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, George Linde, Nqobani Mokoena, Andile Simelane, Lutho Sipamla, Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Prenelan Subrayen, and Jason Smith.
NZ vs SA Probable XIs:
Neither of these teams is playing with their best side, as many players are taking rest following the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. However, New Zealand have some of their stars in the form of Devon Conway, captain Mitchell Santner, and Lockie Ferguson, who are considered the finest in the shortest format of the game.
South Africa, on the other hand, only has the likes of George Linde and Keshav Maharaj from their World Cup squad. The other players would soon be off to India to play in the IPL. Not one of their senior batters is part of the XI.
New Zealand Playing XI: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (wk), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Mitchell Santner (C), Jimmy Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Ben Sears, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson
South Africa Playing XI: Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, Rubin Hermann, Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj (C), Nqobani Mokoena, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman.
NZ vs SA 3rd T20I Key Battles:
Devon Conway vs Gerald Coetzee
New Zealand left-handed batting star Devon Conway was part of the New Zealand side until the T20 World Cup; however, he was left out of the playing XI after Finn Allen showed some terrific form ahead of the T20 World Cup in the Big Bash League. Conway was also not picked in the IPL; hence, he would be part of the series before he flies off to Pakistan for the PSL.
The South African pacer Gerald Coetzee was among the frontline options for the Proteas; however, injuries cut short his rise in international cricket. Led by Keshav Maharaj, he is the crucial new ball bowler for the Proteas in this competition. He will be responsible for early breakthroughs in the series.
George Linde vs Lockie Ferguson
South African all-rounder George Linde is among the two players who were also a part of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Linde did not play many games; however, he has been impactful with the bat alongside the ball as well. Linde, though used as a lower-order batter, has scored runs in franchise cricket and is experienced in this South African side.
Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand pacer, has returned with glory for the New Zealand side. The New Zealand speedster picked up three wickets on his return to the shortest format of the game for the Kiwis. Ferguson operates in the death overs, when Linde takes down the attack, and hence, this will be a fitting contest in the series.
Mitchell Santner vs Wiaan Mulder
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner was one of their best batters in the middle order in the ICC T20 World Cup. He is now playing the first three games for New Zealand before he leaves for India to play for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Santner has promoted himself in the middle order for this series.
Wiaan Mulder, the South African all-rounder, picked up crucial wickets in the middle overs. Mulder is a promising wicket-taker whenever he has been handed the ball by his captain. Mulder picked the crucial wickets of Devon Conway and Nick Kelly in the previous game.
NZ vs SA 3rd T20I Key Players:
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, and Ben Sears.
South Africa: George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, and Keshav Maharaj.
NZ vs SA Free Live Streaming in India, Live Telecast
TV Rights in India: The NZ vs SA match will be live on TV, as Sony Sports Network has acquired broadcasting rights.
Live Streaming Platform in India: The match will be broadcast live on the OTT platform, and fans can watch it on their laptops and mobile phones via the Fancode app and Sony Liv app.
When will the NZ vs SA match take place? The 3rd T20I fixture is set to be played on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Where will the match be played? The NZ vs SA game will be played at Eden Park in Auckland.
How to live stream the match between NZ vs SA on mobile online? The matches of the series will be live-streamed on the Fancode app or website, and also on the SonyLIV app.
NZ vs SA, 3rd T20I Weather Report, Pitch Report of Eden Park, Auckland
NZ vs SA Weather Report of Auckland:
The New Zealand city of Auckland often experiences the finest of weather conditions, which include mild temperatures and chances of rain, which makes this venue immensely unpredictable. Typical for March, there is a moderate risk of frequent showers in Auckland. With the temperature ranging around 20 degrees, dew can also play a moderating factor at this venue, especially during the evening.
NZ vs SA Pitch Report of Auckland:
Traditionally, Eden Park is known as a high-scoring ground due to its smaller boundaries. However, in some of the recent games, it has been observed that these tracks have offered variable pace and bounce. The short dimensions of the ground facilitate attacking gameplay; however, the average score is likely around 170-190, especially in the first innings of play.
NZ vs SA T20I Head-to-Head Records:
New Zealand and South Africa have met each other in 22 T20Is. The South Africans have been on the better side, as they have had the upper hand with 13 wins, while on the other hand, New Zealand have managed to win just 9 games in T20Is.
| Stats | Matches | NZ Won | SA Won | NR | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 22 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cups | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 5 T20Is | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
NZ vs SA Head-to-Head Records: Key Statistics
New Zealand have never had the best record against the South Africans in the shortest format of the game. However, hosting the matches on their own soil, New Zealand will be the heavyweights on their own soil. After their World Cup semi-final triumph, New Zealand would also be having high morale, while South Africa's second-tier team would be aiming to avenge their defeat.
NZ vs SA Head-to-Head Records- Result of the last five games:
- New Zealand vs South Africa—New Zealand won by 68 runs, Hamilton, March 17th, 2026
- New Zealand vs South Africa—South Africa won by 7 wickets, Mount Maunganui, Mar 15, 2026
- New Zealand vs South Africa – New Zealand won by 9 wickets, Eden Gardens, Mar 4, 2026
- New Zealand vs South Africa – South Africa won by 7 wickets, Ahmedabad, Feb 14, 2026
- New Zealand vs South Africa—New Zealand won by 3 runs, Harare, Jul 26, 2025
NZ vs SA—Conclusion
New Zealand cricketers Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips, who have been part of the ICC T20 World Cup Squad for New Zealand and played a major role in their success, are all waiting to be part of the IPL, and hence, are not part of NZ's playing XI in this series.
South Africa also does not have any of their big names, like Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock, in this series, as they will also be making their way to India for a two-month-long contest in the IPL. New Zealand would still be the favourites for the third match between the two teams.
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New Zealand National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket Team New Zealand vs South Africa South Africa vs New Zealand Mitchell Santner Keshav Maharaj Devon ConwayAbout the Author
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