Christchurch: South Africa won the five-match T20I series against New Zealand by 33 runs in the final at Hockley Oval on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, the visitors piled up 187 for 4 in 20 overs thanks to a superb display from middle-order batsman Connor Esterhuizen.
Openers Tony De Sorgi and Vian Mulder gave a steady start, scoring runs right from the start. Their 21-run stand was broken when Zach Foulkes dismissed D Georgi for 12 off 14 balls, including 3 fours.
Mulder then forged a crucial 50-run partnership with Rubin Herman to stabilize the innings and take the side past the hundred.
Josh Clarkson struck 2 fours and 2 sixes in the 11th over to remove Mulder for a crucial 31 off 29 balls to make the hosts 76 for 2 in the 11th over.
Ben Sears scored 39 off 31 balls, hitting four fours and dismissing Herman in an innings.
Following his departure, Connor Esterhuizen was joined by Dion Forrester in Greece and the pair made a decisive change of pace. Esterhuizen was in superb form as he brought up his second T20I half-century, wreaking havoc in the New Zealand attack.
His explosive knock was eventually ended by Sears, the batter taking his second wicket after scoring 75 runs off just 33 balls with five fours and six sixes.
Forrester remained unbeaten on 21 off 13 balls with a four and a six, while Jason Smith added a run as South Africa finished with a perfect score. Sears was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, returning two wickets for 37 runs in his four overs, with Foulkes and Clarkson picking up one each.
Chasing 188 for victory, New Zealand’s reply lacked traction as the Proteas’ bowling put in a decent performance, restricting the hosts to 154 for 8 in their 20 overs. No Blackcaps player could reach a half-century.
Bevon Jacobs provided the late impetus with a blistering 36 off 19 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes, while opener Tim Robinson scored 25 off 20 balls.
Wicketkeeper Dan Cleaver scored 22 off 17 balls and captain James Neesham scored 24 off one ball.
Gerald Coetzee, Vian Mulder and Odniel Bartman took two wickets each for the South African side, while Keshav Maharaj picked up a wicket as the visitors clinched a hard-fought series win.