Teenage debutant Mokoena rips through New Zealand as South Africa cruise to seven-wicket win
South Africa's five-match T20I tour of New Zealand could hardly have started better. In Mount Maunganui on Sunday, a youthful Proteas side led by Keshav Maharaj demolished the hosts inside 15 overs and then knocked off the runs in a little over 16, taking a 1-0 series lead.
New Zealand fold for 91
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, but the decision backfired almost immediately. Gerald Coetzee removed Devon Conway for 1 and Tom Latham for 7 inside the first two overs, and when Ottneil Baartman got Tim Robinson in the third, the Black Caps were 20 for 3 and reeling.
Mokoena, a 19-year-old from the Dolphins system who earned his call-up through strong SA20 performances with the Paarl Royals, entered the attack and made an instant impression. He dismissed Neesham, McConchie and Foulkes to finish with figures of 3 for 26 from 3.3 overs. Coetzee ended with 2 for 14 and Baartman 2 wickets of his own as New Zealand were bundled out for 91 off just 14.3 overs. James Neesham top-scored with 26 from 21 balls.
Esterhuizen anchors chase
South Africa lost Tony de Zorzi for 2 to Zakary Foulkes early in the reply, and Rubin Hermann fell for 7 to Kyle Jamieson shortly after. But wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen, playing his first T20I, held things together with an unbeaten 45 from 48 balls. His approach was measured rather than flashy on a tricky surface where timing was difficult. Jason Smith chipped in with 10 before Mitchell Santner bowled him, and debutant Dian Forrester saw things home alongside Esterhuizen with an unbeaten 16.
Santner was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, conceding just 8 runs from his four overs, but he lacked support at the other end.
Mokoena's journey to the top
Born on May 5, 2006, Mokoena is still only 19. He rose through the Dolphins age-group setup and represented South Africa at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup before making his List A debut for the SA Emerging side in early 2025. A productive SA20 season with the Paarl Royals convinced selectors to hand him a senior call-up for this tour, and he repaid them in style.
The second T20I takes place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, with South Africa looking to press home their advantage.
