The Proteas were boosted by the return of Lungi Ngidi for the match and would've been riding a wave of momentum after picking up their first win against Afghanistan. The Proteas needed nothing short of a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. 

The game started with a bit of rain, as a result, the match was reduced to 49 overs a side. The Proteas lost the toss and were sent in to bat first. 

The Proteas lost De Kock early in the innings after he was bowled by Trent Boult. Du Plessis came in at 3 and steadied things with Amla before the skipper was knocked over by Furguson for 23. Markram found good form and rhythm before throwing away his wicket for 38, shortly after Amla was dismissed for 55. Miller and Van der Dussen were left to finish the innings and they guided the team to 241 in their 49 overs, 19 runs short of what Simon Doull reckoned was a par score. 

In their reply, the New Zealand top order succumbed to the surprise package of Chris Morris. His first two wickets in as many overs reduced New Zealand to 80-4 in the nineteenth over. Neesham and Williamson set about restoring things for the New Zealanders, before Morris struck again, Amla taking the catch at slip. 

Complacency seemed to creep into the Proteas camp when Colin de Grandhomme walked to the wicket with his team needing 104 from 114. The stocky all-rounder smashed 60 from 47 deliveries to shift the pressure back onto the Proteas. 

The pressure on the Proteas and the guidance from Kane Williamson proved too much as Williamson smashed ten in two balls in the final over to hand the Black Caps a 4-wicket win and send them back to the top of the log. 

South Africa now have three games left to 'prove their worth' when they face Pakistan, Sri-Lanka and Australia, as the chances of semi-final qualification seems to have diminished with the loss to New Zealand. 

The Proteas next face Pakistan on Sunday June 23, at 11:30

@Samludidi - OFM Sport