NZ-W vs SA-W: Live Score & Updates – T20I Series 2026 | ICC, Cricbuzz & More
Wellington, New Zealand – – Sophie Devine delivered a compelling all-round performance to propel New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I, securing a series lead for the White Ferns. The match, a crucial preparation point for both teams ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, saw New Zealand successfully chase a target of 150 with eight balls to spare, marking their highest-ever chase in Women’s T20Is at home.
The victory at Eden Park follows New Zealand’s dominant 80-run win in Mount Maunganui, with South Africa briefly leveling the series with a close win in Hamilton. Today’s result restores New Zealand’s advantage, demonstrating their resilience and depth as they build momentum towards the World Cup.
South Africa, electing to bat first, initially struggled against tight New Zealand bowling. Early wickets threatened to derail their innings, but a stabilizing partnership between Laura Wolvaardt (37) and Annerie Dercksen (27) offered some respite. However, Devine’s timely intervention, dismissing Dercksen at the end of the eighth over, swung the momentum back in New Zealand’s favor.
Despite a late cameo from Kayla Reyneke (34*), South Africa were restricted to 149/7. Devine was instrumental with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/21, while veteran Suzie Bates also impressed, claiming 2/10. The disciplined bowling performance from New Zealand kept the South African scoring rate in check, preventing them from building a truly imposing total.
The chase began cautiously for New Zealand, with early wickets falling to put pressure on the middle order. However, Devine stepped up once again, joining forces with captain Melie Kerr (30) to rebuild the innings. Their partnership proved crucial in keeping New Zealand on track, absorbing pressure and rotating the strike effectively.
South Africa briefly threatened to regain control with back-to-back strikes in the middle overs, but Devine remained steadfast. She anchored the chase with an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls, showcasing her power-hitting ability with seven boundaries. Maddy Green provided valuable support, contributing a quickfire 34* to see New Zealand home.
Devine’s performance earned her the Player of the Match award, recognizing her significant contributions with both bat, and ball. Her ability to deliver under pressure and lead from the front proved decisive in securing the victory for New Zealand.
This successful chase represents the third-highest successful chase for New Zealand worldwide. Their previous best on home soil came against the West Indies at Seddon Park in Hamilton in 2018. Before that, they successfully chased down 173 against South Africa in Benoni in 2023 and 152 against Australia in Melbourne in 2013.
The series continues to be a valuable learning experience for both teams as they fine-tune their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. New Zealand’s ability to adapt to different match situations and their reliance on experienced players like Devine and Bates will be key assets in the tournament. For South Africa, the series presents an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and build confidence ahead of the global competition.
The White Ferns’ victory underscores their growing strength in women’s T20 cricket and positions them as strong contenders in the upcoming World Cup. Devine’s continued excellence, coupled with the emergence of promising young players, suggests a bright future for New Zealand cricket.