The third T20 Cricket match of the five-match series between New Zealand and South Africa. After South Africa won the low-scoring opening affair, New Zealand tied up the series with their sophomore performance.
As far as sports go, T20 cricket is one of the most exciting around. Even with the T20 World Cup in the rearview and the IPL still a week away, there is exciting cricket being played, especially by New Zealand and South Africa.
With the third match on tap for March 20th, 2026, here are match predictions, the starting XI’s, and where to watch it.
New Zealand vs South Africa 3rd T20 Cricket Match Predictions
CricTracker predicts that whichever team chases in the third match will be the winning team. They also predict that Devon Conway will be the best batter, with Lockie Ferguson being the best bowler.
Cricketworld has revealed the different average innings run totals for whoever bats first versus second. They have listed the average first-innings score at 160 runs, and the average for the second innings at 150 runs. They are also predicting that New Zealand will win the third match, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Additionally, CricketGully has predicted that whichever team bats first will win the match. However, they also reveal that at this venue, 15 of the 32 matches played have resulted in the team that bats first winning. The team batting second has won 12 times. This is as close to an even split as one can get without it actually being 50-50.
Google is giving New Zealand the edge in the third match. They have the Black Caps’ win probability at 63 percent, with South Africa at 37 percent.
The winner of this match gains a huge upper hand and would pull ahead to a 2-1 series lead. Only one more victory would put the losing team in a stranglehold and render the final match meaningless.
However, given how the series has started, it could very well take all five matches to decide a victor between these squads.
Starting XIs For New Zealand vs South Africa 3rd T20 Cricket Match of 5
Here is the probable starting XI for New Zealand and South Africa ahead of their third of five matches.
New Zealand Probable XI
- Devon Conway
- Tim Robinson
- Tom Latham (Wicketkeeper)
- Nick Kelly
- Mitchell Santner (Captain)
- James Neesham
- Josh Clarkson
- Cole McConchie
- Lockie Ferguson
- Kyle Jamieson
- Ben Sears.
South Africa Probable XI
- Tony de Zorzi
- Connor Esterhuizen
- Wiaan Mulder
- Jason Smith
- Rubin Hermann (Wicketkeeper)
- Dian Forrester
- George Linde
- Nqobani Mokoena
- Gerald Coetzee
- Keshav Maharaj (Captain)
- Ottneil Baartman.
Where to Watch New Zealand vs South Africa
This third match between New Zealand and South Africa will be held at Eden Park, Auckland. The match will be broadcast at 12:15 AM Mountain Time, 7:15 PM NZDT, 8:15 AM in South Africa, and 11:45 AM IST.
Unfortunately, this match is not available on ICC.TV or Willow.
Fans can watch the match live on the Sony Sports Network. Viewers in India can watch the match streamed on FanCode, the SonyLIV App, and the website. The TapMad app and website are available for Pakistan fans to watch the match.
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