NZ vs SA third T20I: Tom Latham shines as New Zealand beats South Africa to lead series 2-1

Tom Latham's stellar 63 leads New Zealand to an eight-wicket victory over South Africa, taking a 2-1 series lead.

Tom Latham carried his bat for 63 and put on 96 for the first wicket with Devon Conway to set up New Zealand's eight-wicket win over South Africa in their third Twenty20 on Friday (March 20, 2026).

Conway made 39 and Latham reached his fourth T20 half-century, helping New Zealand's cricketers pass South Africa's 136-9 with 22 balls remaining to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Batting conditions have been tricky and matches in the series have been low-scoring. South Africa won the first by seven wickets, chasing down New Zealand's 91, and the Black Caps won the second by 68 runs, bowling out the opposition for 107.

South Africa batted out 20 overs for the first time on Friday (March 20), helped by a lively unbeaten 26 from 20 balls by Nqobani Mokoena in his first international innings.

Latham and Conway began their run chase quietly, taking five runs from the first two overs and 12 from the first three. They then took 14 from the fourth over, bowled by Mokoena, and 21 from the fifth by Lutho Sipamla to set New Zealand on the way to a comfortable win.

Conway fell in the 11th over, caught in the deep by Rubin Hermann off Keshav Maharaj and Tim Robinson was out for 17 in the 17th over when the scores were tied. Nick Kelly came out and hit a single for the winning run from the next ball.