The New Zealand Women recorded a six-wicket win over the Proteas Women in the third T20I in Auckland on Friday.
It gave the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Sophie Devine led from the front with 55* off 38 balls, sharing key partnerships with Amelia Kerr (30) and Maddy Green (35*) as the White Ferns chased down 149-7 with eight balls to spare.
Earlier, South Africa posted 149-7 after being sent in to bat, with Laura Wolvaardt (37) and Kayla Reyneke (34*) leading the effort.
The Proteas Women got off to a shaky start as Tazmin Brits (nought) and Suné Luus (three) fell early to Jess Kerr (1-30) and Rosemary Mair (1-32).
Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen (27) steadied the innings with a 50-run stand, taking South Africa to 60-2 in the eighth over before New Zealand struck back with regular wickets.
With Dercksen, Chloé Tryon (15), Nadine de Klerk (eight), Wolvaardt and Sinalo Jafta (four) dismissed, Reyneke took charge late in the innings, striking three sixes to lift the Proteas to a competitive total.
Suzie Bates (2-10) and Devine (2-21) were the standout bowlers for the hosts.
LIVE: New Zealand vs Proteas (3rd T20I)
In reply, New Zealand were reduced to 42-2 in the powerplay as Dercksen (1-17) and Ayanda Hlubi (1-31) made early breakthroughs.
Amelia Kerr and Devine then added 30 for the third wicket before Kerr was trapped lbw by Nonkululeko Mlaba (1-20). A run-out soon removed Brooke Halliday (two), leaving the hosts on 68-4 after 10 overs.
However, that proved to be South Africa’s final success as Devine and Green combined for an unbroken 84-run partnership to seal the win.
The fourth T20I will take place at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday.
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
