South Africa Predicted Playing XI Vs New Zealand- 2nd T20I (PC - AFP.com)
Last Sunday, South Africa embarrassed New Zealand in the first game of the five-game series at Bay Oval. Now, the caravan moves to Seddon Park, Hamilton for the second T20I on Tuesday.
In Mount Maunganui, the Proteas pace trio were all over the Blackcaps, with debutant Nqobani Mokoena winning the Player of the Match award for his three for 26, as South Africa won by seven wickets.
With a 1-nil lead in the series already, here is how the South Africa Predicted Playing XI Vs New Zealand could lineup for the marquee clash.
South Africa Probable XI Vs New Zealand- 2nd T20I, 2026
Openers and top order: Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Rubin Hermann
The top order may have failed in the first T20I, with Tony de Zorzi and Rubin Hermann falling cheaply. However, Connor Esterhuizen scored a composed 45 not out off 48 balls on debut as he took the Proteas home.
Esterhuizen will obviously regain his spot, and so would Tony de Zorzi and Rubin Hermann. However, the two top order batters will have to come good to prove themselves to be in the South Africa Playing XI Vs New Zealand.
Middle-order and all-rounders: Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, George Linde
Jason Smith also fell cheaply at Bay Oval, scoring just 10 runs off 14 balls. But the 31-year-old, who was also a part of the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, has been backed by the team management in recent times.
Dian Forrester and Jordan Hermann are two lesser knowns names on the team sheet, who are picked over the experienced Wiaan Mulder. The duo has truckload of talent and experience of playing back home and in the SA20. They will also regain their spots for the South Africa Predicted Playing XI Vs New Zealand.
George Linde is an experienced all-round option who brings a variety with his left-arm spin bowling and batting down the order. He didn’t get an option to either bat or bowl, but he will also regain his spot.
Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Nqobani Mokoena
The South African pacers, Nqobani Mokoena, Ottneil Baartman and Gerald Coetzee, were spellbinding in the first T20I match. The debutant stole the show with three wickets for 23, while Coetzee and Baartman also chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Keshav Maharaj was also brilliant, taking two wickets and stupendous as a captain. He was remarkable in his field placements and bowling changes. He will be the first name on the South Africa Playing XI vs New Zealand.
South Africa Playing XI Vs New Zealand- 2nd T20I: Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, Jordan Hermann, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Nqobani Mokoena
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