New Zealand vs South Africa Preview & Prediction | First T20 International

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A week after suffering T20 World Cup heartbreak at the hands of India, New Zealand are back in T20i action, taking on South Africa in Mount Maunganui.

Date/time:

Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand

Weather: Cloudy but with sunny intervals and temperatures in the mid-twenties.

How to watch: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Willow TV

New Zealand vs South Africa prediction

Expect to see plenty of new faces over the course of this series with many of the first-choice players for both New Zealand and South Africa given a rest following the T20 World Cup which concluded in India only last weekend. But new names will be desperate to impress, so it’s unlikely that the intensity will drop in this series. Throw in the likes of Devon Conway, Ish Sodhi, Keshav Maharaj and Ottneil Baartman, all proven performers at this level and you have all the makings of an exciting battle.

This first T20i will likely depend on which group of players settle into their respective environments better. That works in New Zealand’s favour with them being at home and the Black Caps also having their regular captain available in Mitchell Santner. Therefore, back them to come out on top over South Africa in match one. 

New Zealand vs South Africa tip: New Zealand to win