After going down in the opener in Mount Maunganui, South Africa delivered a far more complete performance at Seddon Park, showing intent with the bat and discipline with the ball to square the series.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Proteas posted a competitive 177/5 in their 20 overs. An assured opening stand of 62 inside seven overs from Tazmin Brits and Suné Luus laid the perfect platform. Luus struck a lively 31 off 21 balls before she was trapped LBW by White Ferns captain Amelia Kerr.

Brits continued to anchor the innings, bringing up a well-played 53 off 42 deliveries, but fell in the 13th over, dismissed by Kerr with her sister Jess Kerr taking the catch as South Africa reached 110. Captain Laura Wolvaardt added further stability with a classy 41, keeping the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs.

The real fireworks, however, came at the death. Young all-rounder Kayla Reyneke produced a sensational cameo, smashing three consecutive sixes in the final over to finish unbeaten on 28 off just nine balls, giving the Proteas crucial late momentum. Amelia Kerr with 2/29 and Jess Kerr 2/34 were the standout bowlers for New Zealand.

Kayla Reyneke - Cricinfo

In reply, New Zealand showed glimpses of a fightback but were ultimately bowled out for 159 in 19.1 overs. Amelia Kerr led from the front with a brisk 32 off 18, while Izzy Sharp added 29 off 21. Experienced campaigner Sophie Devine chipped in with 25, but the hosts never quite kept up with the required rate.

The Proteas bowlers held their nerve under pressure, with Ayabonga Khaka leading the charge. The experienced seamer was superb, returning figures of 4/27 in her four overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba provided excellent support with 3/27 in 3.1 overs, while Annerie Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk picked up a wicket each.

Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt was pleased with the team’s response after the opening defeat, highlighting both the improved intent and execution.

Laura Wolvaardt - Cricinfo

“Really nice to bounce back - a much, much better performance overall,” said Wolvaardt.

“Great batting intent and we hit our plans with the ball.

“Reyneke’s power-hitting was lovely - we lost our way a bit after the start, and it’s not easy to come in and go at that rate. It was great to see her do that. It’s encouraging to know we have that kind of power throughout the batting line-up.

Amelia Kerr - Cricinfo

“The powerplay wasn’t our best, but we pulled it back nicely with some disciplined, stump-to-stump bowling. It’s good to level the series. There are still a few games to play, but we’re very pleased with that performance.”

Meanwhile, ahead of the match in Hamilton, it was confirmed that veteran all-rounder Dané van Niekerk has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour due to a calf injury. She will return to South Africa, with former Free State player Anneke Bosch called up as her replacement.

The third T20 International is set to take place on Friday in Auckland, with play at Eden Park scheduled to get underway at 3:45am.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport