NZ vs SA Match Prediction, 2nd T20I- Who Will Win Today? South Africa Tour of New Zealand 2026

NZ vs SA, 2nd T20I will be played on March 17 [Source: X]

New Zealand and South Africa are set to face off in the second of the five-match T20I series on Tuesday, March 17 at 11:45 AM (IST). The match will be played at the Seddon Park, Hamilton, as the hosts will look to square the series 1-1 after a thumping defeat in the series opener.

In the first T20I at the Bay Oval, Nqobani Mokoena impressed on debut alongside the fellow pacers Ottneil Baartman and Gerald Coetzee to bowl New Zealand out for 91. Connor Estehuizen backed up the bowlers' efforts and led the batting unit to a chase, despite losing wickets on the other end.

As the teams lock horns in the second T20I, we take a look at what to expect in Hamilton.

NZ vs SA current form (last 5 T20Is)

NZ vs SA player battles

Devon Conway vs Gerald Coetzee

The New Zealand opener Devon Conway will be the linchpin of the current batting line-up if they want to level the series. In the first T20I, in slightly bowler-friendly conditions, Gerald Coetzee used all his experience to trouble Conway and got him out for 1 off 5. This will be an intriguing battle in the second T20I to set up either team to win the match.

Connor Esterhuizen vs Lockie Ferguson

In a rather inexperienced South African batting line-up, Connor Esterhuizen took the onus and batted with maturity on his debut to take his team through in the first match. He batted well for his 45*(48) and will be up against Lockie Ferguson, who will be Mitchell Santner's x-factor to rip through the SA batting. The winner of this duel will put their team in the match.

Mitchell Santner vs Keshav Maharaj

In the battle of the skippers, the in-form Mitchell Santner in the lower middle-order will bat alongside Colin McConchie and James Neesham to finish New Zealand's innings strong. He will face the experienced South African skipper Keshav Maharaj in this phase of play with a record of 2(8) and a dismissal against him. It will be another duel that can affect the result.

Also Read: South Africa Predicted Playing XI vs New Zealand- 2nd T20I, 2026- Wiaan Mulder In For?

NZ vs SA top performers

Most runs for NZ vs SA (among squad members)

From the current New Zealand squad, all-rounder James Neesham has the most runs against the Proteas. He has 99 runs in 6 innings at a strike rate of 133.78 and also top-scored for them in the last match.

Most wickets for NZ vs SA (among squad members)

Captain Mitchell Santner has picked 4 wickets in 7 innings against South Africa with an economy rate of 7.25 runs per over. He bowled a four-over spell of 1/8 in the last match.

Most runs for SA vs NZ (among squad members)

All-rounder George Linde has been the leading run-scorer against the Kiwis with 63 runs in 3 innings at a strike rate of 140.

Most wickets for SA vs NZ (among squad members)

The trio of Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj and Nqobani Mokoena have three wickets each against New Zealand. Coetzee and Maharaj have picked these wickets in 3 matches, while Mokoena took 3/26 in the first match.

NZ vs SA toss prediction

The pitch at Seddon Park, Hamilton, has produced some entertaining wickets in 13 matches played at the venue. 7 times, the team batting first has won the matches, while 5 have ended in successful chases and an New Zealand vs India match in 2020 went into a super over.

It is expected to be a fair contest between bat and ball, unlike the series opener and the team winning the toss is likely to bat first.

NZ vs SA 1st innings score prediction

Powerplay – 51/1

Final score – 175/5

NZ vs SA 2nd innings score prediction

Powerplay – 46/2

Final score – 168/7

NZ vs SA top players prediction

NZ top players' prediction

Probable best batters

Devon Conway, James Neesham

Probable best bowlers

Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner

SA top players' prediction

Probable best batters

Connor Esterhuizen, Jason Smith

Probable best bowlers

Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj

Who will hit the most sixes in NZ vs SA 2nd T20I?

Devon Conway

Who will hit the most fours in NZ vs SA 2nd T20I?

Mitchell Santner

NZ vs SA match winner prediction: Who will win 2nd T20I?

The first T20I of the series ended in a lop-sided affair in favour of the visitors, but expect New Zealand to bounce back in Hamilton, especially with Lockie Ferguson joining the squad. It will be a closer game and with more experience on their side, the Kiwis are well-placed to level the series.

Also Read: Sarfaraz Ahmed Retirement- How Pakistan Great Can Land In A Legal Case?