A strong comeback from the New Zealand team after a humiliating 7-wicket defeat in the first T20I against South Africa kept the series alive as both teams clashed at Seddon Park.
With both sides dealing with injuries, changes became an automatic choice. South Africa won the toss and invited New Zealand to bat on a slow Hamilton surface. The hosts were without Bevon Jacobs (knee injury) and Ish Sodhi, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series. This opened the door for Lockie Ferguson and Josh Clarkson, while Zakary Foulkes missed out. South Africa also faced a setback, with Jordan Hermann ruled out, leading to Wiaan Mulder coming in.
After a calm powerplay from Devon Conway and Tom Latham, Latham departed early. It was largely Conway’s show until the arrival of Clarkson. Conway scored a composed 60 off 41 balls, including five fours and two sixes. The rest of the batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores, managing contributions in the 20s. In the final over, Clarkson shifted momentum, smashing 26 off just 9 balls with two sixes and two fours. A 24-run over ensured New Zealand finished with a competitive 175.
For South Africa, Mulder picked up two wickets, while the remaining bowlers claimed one each.
In reply, South Africa’s openers struggled to read the pitch and were put under pressure by the Kiwi pacers, bringing back memories of the first T20I. By 6.1 overs, they were reduced to 31/3, and the collapse continued. George Linde provided brief resistance with a quick 33 off 12 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours, but it proved to be a lone effort. South Africa were eventually bowled out for 107 in just 15.3 overs.
Ferguson and Ben Sears took three wickets each, while Santner grabbed two, and Jacob Duffy and Neesham chipped in with one apiece.
The series is now level at 1–1, setting up an exciting contest ahead despite injuries on both sides.