SA vs NZ Today Match Prediction 2025 2nd T20I: Match Preview, Pitch Report and Who will win Today’s Match?

SA vs NZ Match Preview

South Africa have already got a taste of the series as they beat the hosts Zimbabwe in the first match on Monday. South Africa won the match by 5 wickets at the Harare Sports Club ground in Harare.
It was South Africa captain Rassie van der Dussen who won the toss and opted to bowl first. It was an exceptional bowling performance from George Linde who took 3 wickets for 10 runs in 3 overs as Zimbabwe could score only 141 runs.
Chasing the target of 142 runs, South Africa did suffer some early set-backs as they were 3 down for 38 runs. But a crucial 72 runs partnership between Rubin Hermann and Dewald Brevis eased the pressure. The former scored 45 runs while Brevis scored 41 runs in 17 balls. Corbin Bosch also contributed with 23 runs off 15 balls to help South Africa finish the match in 15.5 overs.
Meanwhile, this will be their first match of the series for New Zealand. In their previous T20I series vs Pakistan at home, New Zealand won the series 4-1. Both fronts delivered well for the Kiwis and they will be looking to repeat the same when they take the field against South Africa.

SA vs NZ Recent Form

South Africa

The South Africa cricket team’s form in the last 5 matches seems to be improving. They lost the 4 match T20I series vs India 3-1 but won the 3 match T20I series vs Pakistan 2-0 with the other match abandoned. And now they recently won the first T20I of the tri-series against Zimbabwe.

New Zealand
New Zealand is also in great form in their last 5 matches, which were all in-fact played against Pakistan. New Zealand won the 5 match series 4-1 with them losing the 3rd T20I only.

South Africa vs New Zealand Team Preview 

South Africa
South Africa is likely to go unchanged in this match after their win in the previous match vs Zimbabwe.

Although the top-order batters like Lhuan-dre-Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks and captain Rassie van der Dussen couldn't do much, the middle-order stepped-up to the occasion as Rubin Hermann and Dewald Brevis played match winning knocks.
As for bowling, George Linde took 3 wickets in the previous match vs Zimbabwe but they also have the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Corbin Bosch, Nqaba Peter and Andile Simelane in their bowling line-up.

New Zealand
Meanwhile the Blackcaps squad will be led by captain Mitchell Santner. Finn Allen is going to be the batter to watch out for after his brilliant performance in the MLC 2025. They also have the batters like Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips.
New Zealand’s batting line-up is a mix of anchors and explosive batters. They also have a great bowling line-up that will be led by Matt Henry and Adam Milne with the future prospects like Will O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and experienced spin bowler Ish Sodhi.

SA vs NZ Head-to-Head in T20Is

South Africa have the head-to-head advantage in the rivalry against New Zealand. These two teams have played 15 T20I matches and South Africa have dominated with 11 wins while New Zealand have won 4 matches only.

Harare Sports Club, Harare Pitch Report

The Harare Sports Club is a balanced surface. During the winter now, there is moisture on the pitch that should help the pace bowlers with pace and bounce early with the new ball. The spinners might find some help in the middle phase of the game. However, with the sun shining bright, expect the pitch to get flatter and better to bat on as the game progresses.

This can be a high scoring match and as the game eventually gets better to bat on in the 2nd inning, the team that wins the toss, should opt to bowl first and look to chase the target when the pitch has great support for the batters in the 2nd inning as seen in the 1st match as well.

SA vs NZ Predicted Playing XI

South Africa: Lhuan-dre-Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (C), Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Andile Simelane, Nqaba Peter, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, Darly Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi.

SA vs NZ Key Performers

South Africa Top Batter: Dewald Brevis

Former South Africa U19 star Dewald Brevis is finally seems to be hitting the ceiling he was expected to hit. He has been in great form recently. The youngster, also known as ‘Baby AB’ scored 255 runs in 6 innings in the IPL 2025 with a strike rate of 180.00. He already scored 41 runs off 15 balls in the previous match vs Zimbabwe.

South Africa Top Bowler: George Linde

South Africa will be banking on the experience of George Linde who picked 3 wickets for just 10 runs in 3 overs vs Zimbabwe. He has been doing well lately which is why South Africa consider him an important member of the team in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup 2026.

New Zealand Top Batter: Finn Allen

New Zealand’s opening batter Finn Allen had a terrific Major League Cricket 2025 season where he scored 333 runs in 9 innings with a strike rate of 225.00. He has been catching loss of eyes with his performance recently.

New Zealand Top Bowler: Mitchell Santner 

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner will be looking to lead the side from the front. The left-arm orthodox spin bowler has been in good form taking 14 wickets in 7 matches in the T20 Blast. His ability to bowl tight lengths make him the bowler for every condition.

SA vs NZ Today Match Prediction 

This is going to be important for both the teams as they test their strength ahead of the crucial T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

South Africa have already won their opening match of the series and will be looking to keep their winning run going in this series with a win over New Zealand, who in turn will be confident after their 4-1 series win vs Pakistan at home.

Both the teams look fairly matched to each other. However, New Zealand seem to have the upper-hand over South Africa in terms of their bowling unit. New Zealand have the likes of Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Will O’Rourke while South Africa Bank on the likes of Lungi Ngidi and George Linde and Nandre Burger.

In-terms of batting, both sides are similarly matched. Both teams have a great mix of calmness and aggression. However, due to their bowling supremacy, we believe New Zealand can beat South Africa. However, don't completely rule out South Africa and the toss will be important.