A depleted South Africa sealed a 3-2 Twenty20 series victory over New Zealand on Wednesday, securing a 33-run win in the fifth match at Christchurch.
Connor Esterhuizen struck 75 from 33 balls, an innings featuring five fours and six sixes, as South Africa posted 187 for four. New Zealand, in reply, were restricted to 154 for eight.
Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder and Ottneil Baartman claimed two wickets apiece. Bevon Jacobs top-scored with 36 for New Zealand, whose chase never gathered momentum.
It marked Esterhuizen’s second successive half-century of the series. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper, making his international debut earlier in the tour, played a decisive role after South Africa fielded an experimental squad following the T20 World Cup.
South Africa had been 76 for two in the 11th over before Esterhuizen steadied the innings. He reached his fifty from 24 balls and shared a 61-run stand with Dian Forrester for the fourth wicket.
New Zealand, who had taken a 2-1 lead in the series last week, faltered in their pursuit. Katene Clarke fell early, while Dane Cleaver, Tim Robinson and Nick Kelly departed in quick succession, leaving the hosts 69 for four.
Stand-in captain James Neesham remained until the final over, but his side’s effort faded despite a brisk 36 from Jacobs.
Neesham said the closing performances had fallen short, adding that South Africa’s bowling attack exposed his side to a higher standard.
New Zealand, runners-up in the recent T20 World Cup, are scheduled to tour Bangladesh for a white-ball series in April.
