New Zealand cruise past depleted Proteas to take 2-1 T20I series lead

Sent in to bat, South Africa struggled to post 136/9 from their 20 overs, a total that New Zealand chased down with ease, losing just two wickets and with 22 balls remaining.

The top six combined for just 68 runs before leaving the lower order to try and muster a total, with seamer Nqobani Mokoena ultimately top-scoring with a quickfire 26 at the tail-end of the innings.

All of New Zealand's bowlers claimed wickets, with Ben Sears' 2 for 27 arguably the standout.  Mitchell Santner (2-21) and Lockie Ferguson (1-9) also made significant contributions.

South Africa never threatened to make a game of it in the field. Tom Latham led the way for the Kiwis with an unbeaten 63 off 55 balls, putting on 96 for the opening wicket alongside South African-born Devon Conway, who made 39 from 26 before being caught in the deep off spinner Keshav Maharaj - though the match was all but over as a contest by that stage.

The fourth game of the series will take place in Wellington on Sunday. South Africa have rested most of their regular stars, with only three players who appeared in the recent T20 World Cup included on tour.

Top stars like Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Kagiso Rabada are all absent, with the touring party consisting of a number of emerging talents.

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