South Africa’s skipper, Keshav Maharaj, praised the young players’ efforts as they secured a 33-run victory over New Zealand in the final T20I, winning the series 3-2. The Proteas set a target of 187/4 in 20 overs, with Esterhuizen leading the batting charge. New Zealand, in response, could only manage 154 runs in their 20 overs, falling short by 33 runs.
Maharaj highlighted the importance of the win in providing valuable lessons to the inexperienced players in the team. Despite trailing 2-1 after the initial three matches, South Africa staged a remarkable comeback in the last two games to claim the series victory. Maharaj commended the team’s hunger, desire, and passion, especially noting the young players’ contributions.
The skipper emphasized the resilience shown by the team, particularly the young talents, in overcoming the early deficit and delivering strong performances with the bat. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s display, acknowledging the lack of experience but praising the seamless transition of the youngsters into international cricket under pressure.
The series saw the introduction of five debutants, with key players rested following the T20 World Cup 2026, where South Africa faced defeat against New Zealand in the semi-finals.
