South Africa brace for tough challenger in full-strength New Zealand

Rob Walter lives in New Zealand, over 11,000 kilometres from South Africa. But for a span of two years until March 2025, Walter was South Africa's white-ball coach. With the departure of Gary Stead as the New Zealand head coach, Walter succeeded him as the all-format coach in his country of residence in June this year.

In his first T20I assignment as coach of New Zealand, he will come up against South Africa - the team he tried to shape and mend for over two years. Walter's New Zealand side sees the return of a number of players, including captain Mitchell Santner, following franchise commitments over the better part of the last four months. On paper, New Zealand appear to have all bases covered and clearly start off as favourites to clinch the tri-series.

Meanwhile, Walter's former side, South Africa have been riding on a high of last month's World Test Championship final win at Lord's. They followed it up by delivering some crushing defeats to Zimbabwe in the two-match series. They continued their momentum in the tri-series opener against Zimbabwe with a comfortable five-wicket win and did almost everything right.

Despite their depleted squad, the South Africans were economical with the ball in their hand. Only Simelane and Corbin Bosch went at over 8 runs an over, in the five combined they bowled, while in the batting department the middle-order trio of Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis and Bosch swatted aside the Zimbabwean bowlers with ease. But they would hope that the top-order would be more effective as the series goes on.

With a much tougher challenge in their sight on Wednesday (July 16), the new look South African side will look to continue their merry momentum against a dangerous New Zealand team.

When: South Africa vs New Zealand; July 16, 2025; 1pm Local Time (11am GMT, 4.30pm IST)

Where: Harare Sports Club

What to expect: Based on the tri-series opener, the pitch should be good for batting but the new-ball bowlers will be in the contest. No rain is expected.

Team news:

South Africa: Following their comfortable victory in the first game, South Africa will in all likelihood remain unchanged

Probable XI: Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen (C), Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Andile Simelane, Nqaba Peter, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway could be included after missing out on New Zealand's previous T20I series in March against Pakistan as multiple changes are expected from the last XI.

Probable XI: Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Adam Milne, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke