What might be the first idea that rings a bell when you see these two teams went head to head against one another. If a solitary word to depict these two teams, at that point it would be "underachievers" all through their cricketing venture in the ICC Tournaments.
Dark horses and chokers over the years have been involved in some of the most nail-biting matches that went under endless vulnerabilities. As per the ICC Tournaments both teams played 8 times where New Zealand won 6 times while South Africa has twice been victorious.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 greatest world cup matches between South Africa and New Zealand.
South Africa vs New Zealand,Semi-final,2015,Auckland:
Scoreboard
South Africa 281-5 (43 Overs)
New Zealand 299-6 (42.5 Overs)
Without a doubt one of the greatest matches of the 21st century. Too many things in a single match twist, turns and drama of last over. South Africa was again the favourites of the tournament but New Zealand outperformed and played a better brand of cricket that day and clinched the victory from the nerve-wracking last over.
The stage was big and South Africa after winning the toss decided to bat first but openers got out cheaply at the 31/2 before Faf Du Plessis (82) and AB de Villiers (65) provided much needed momentum for other players for the big score. But rain interrupted the play and the match was reduced to 43 overs. When players return to the field, AB de Villiers, seems to be missing the touch but David Miller took on the aerial route and smashed 18 ball-49 runs which featured 6 fours and 3 sixes to take the scoreboard 281 run with the loss the 5 wickets in their allotted 43 overs.
The target was revised after the rain interrupted the play and New Zealand now has to chase 298 in their allotted 43 overs. New Zealand got off to a great start with a 71 run opening stand for the first wicket which included Brendon McCullum quick-fire 26 ball-59 runs which featured 8 fours and 4 sixes. But momentum very soon shifted towards South Africa when they beat New Zealand 149/4. But Grant Elliot and Corey Anderson played the innings of their lives with 103 run stand partnership for the fifth wicket to take kiwis back into the hunt. Towards the end Grant Elliot who remained unbeaten on 84* which featured 7 fours and 3 sixes to hit the winning shot to nerve wracking final over of Dale Steyn.
South Africa vs New Zealand,1992,Auckland:
Scoreboard
South Africa 190-7 (50 Overs)
New Zealand 191-3 (34.3 Overs)
South Africa team first world cup Campaign after the readmission and its first time when Chokers went against Dark Horses in the ICC Tournament. South Africa after winning the toss decided to bat first on the surface which wasn't easy for the batting. South Africa was in complete trouble with 29/3 but Peter Kristen kept the one end without getting any support from other players to take the scoreboard to 190 in the 50 overs and only contributions came from Dave Richardson and Brian McMillan.
Chasing 191 it was the somewhere not sure how New Zealand openers proceed but Mark Greatbatch and Rod Latham made sure South Africa had no chance in the match after 114 run stand for the first wicket before New Zealand register the Win over South Africa in the 35 over with 7 wickets and Mark Greatbatch was adjudged with man of match for 60 ball-68 runs.
South Africa vs New Zealand,1996,World Cup:
Scoreboard
New Zealand 177-9 (50 Overs)
South Africa 178-5 (37.5 Overs)
This time around South Africa was the different team from the previous world cup with quality pace attack and batsman in the top order. The tournament was played in the subcontinent pitches and New Zealand after winning the toss decided to bat first which was no surprise at all and but their decision to bat first very soon proved wrong when half of the team back to the pavilion at the score of 85/5.
Few useful contributions came from the lower order to take the scoreboard to 177 in their allotted 50 overs. South Africa in reply got a good start before Hansie Cronje came up to bat in the run-chase. With target looking all clear a collapse came from 87/1 to 170/5 but Hansie Cronje 64 ball-74 run had done his work to register the win 5 wickets easily in the ICC Tournament.
South Africa vs New Zealand,1999,Edgbaston:
Scoreboard
South Africa 287-5 (50 Overs)
New Zealand 213-8 (50 Overs)
This time South Africa was the most dominating side in world cricket from the last two editions and entered the world cup as the hot favourites to lift the world cup. It was another match between the two best sides of the late 90s. It was the super six game and winning will confirm the place in the semi-finals for South Africa.
After winning the toss South Africa decided to bat first under the hostile conditions of England weather which was quite surprising as no batsman ever wants to play the first hour on English pitches first. But Herschelle Gibbs (91) and Gary Kristen (82) put on 176 run stand partnership for the first wicket to give the momentum for big score to other players which were supported well Jacques Kallis (53) and Hansie Cronje (39) to take the scoreboard to 287 in their allotted 50 overs.
Chasing 288 New Zealand needed the good start but their openers were back to the pavilion at the score of 34/2. Stephen Fleming and Roger Twose tried to rescue the team but they have failed to score big and result in team crumbling at the score of 213 runs with the loss of 8 wickets and defeated by 74 runs while South Africa confirmed their place in the Semi-finals.
South Africa vs New Zealand,2007,World Cup:
Scoreboard
South Africa 193-7 (50 Overs)
New Zealand 196-5 (48.2 Overs)
It was the crucial game for New Zealand to confirm their place for the next round. Both the teams were filled with world class players and it was expected to be a thriller match. After winning the toss New Zealand decided to bowl first and their decision seems to be right when they restricted South Africa at the score of 193 runs in the 50 Overs with only contribution came from Herschelle Gibbs who scored 60 runs while kiwis pace attack were at the top of South Africa batsman. Shane Bond (2) along with Craig McMillan (3) shared 5 wickets each.
In response New Zealand got off to a worst start with both openers back to the pavilion at the score of 42/2. But once again Stephen Fleming played the captain knock to rescue his team along Scott Styris to put 78 run partnership for the third wicket to provide much needed resistance to the team score.
