New Zealand national cricket team captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl against South Africa national cricket team in the third T20I of the South Africa tour of New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Santner said the surface looked good with some grass cover and expected early assistance for the seamers. He added that Eden Park traditionally offers extra bounce and New Zealand would look to exploit that up front to restrict the visitors.
South Africa captain Keshav Maharaj said batting first would help his side assess conditions and set a benchmark total, adding that his team was keen to respond after their loss in the previous match.
The five match series is tied at 1-1 after two one-sided results. South Africa opened the series with a dominant seven-wicket win, bowling New Zealand out for just 91 at Bay Oval before chasing the target comfortably. However, the hosts responded emphatically in Hamilton, posting 175 for 6 and bundling out the Proteas for 107 to secure a 68-run victory.
NZ vs SA 3rd T20I Playing XIs
South Africa (Playing XI): Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen(w), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj(c), Nqobani Mokoena, Lutho Sipamla
New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Tom Latham(w), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner(c), James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears, Lockie Ferguson
