New Zealand edge South Africa in thriller to clinch T20I tri-series

New Zealand extended their unbeaten run to the final of the tri-series where they edged past South Africa by three runs in a tense finish.

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With just seven to defend in the final over following an assault from Dewald Brevis, New Zealand held on to two stunning catches to deny South Africa. A solid batting performance, highlighted by 47 each from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, saw New Zealand post 180/5 after they were asked to bat first earlier in the day.

Chasing 181, Lhuan-dre Pretorius got South Africa underway with a boundary - a well-timed backfoot punch through midwicket. Jacob Duffy kept things extremely tight by conceding just a single in the second over but Zakary Foulkes couldn't back him up as he ended up leaking 13 in the third. The PowerPlay, in which South Africa scored 46/0, was characterised by their openers batting solidly and with a mix of caution and aggression.

New Zealand's introduction of spin after the PowerPlay proved to be counterproductive. Of the 27 runs that Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell conceded off the 7th and 8th overs, 10 were from the five wides that either bowler was guilty of. Milne's reintroduction, in a bid to curb the scoring, didn't yield the expected results either as a well-set Pretorius picked off two more boundaries.