South Africa A vs New Zealand A – 1st Unofficial Test, 2025

Venue: Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
Date & Time: 07 September 2025, 09:00 GMT
Tournament: New Zealand A tour of South Africa 2025

Match Preview

The 1st Unofficial Test between South Africa A and New Zealand A is set to kick off the four-day series at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on Sunday, 07 September 2025. This will be the first of three matches in the series, and the encounter promises to be a thrilling battle between two emerging teams vying for supremacy in the longest format of the game.

South Africa A comes into this match with a sense of momentum, having recently won the Unofficial One Day Series against New Zealand A by 21 runs. The team is well-balanced and features a blend of experienced campaigners and rising stars. Captain Marques Ackerman, in particular, has been in scintillating form in the last five matches, scoring 318 runs at a strike rate of 71.4. The likes of Zubayr Hamza, Codi Yusuf, and Tristan Luus will also be key players for the hosts, with Hamza expected to provide stability in the middle order.

On the other hand, New Zealand A arrives at this fixture with a renewed sense of purpose. Though they went down in the recent One Day Series, they showed resilience in the final match, and their squad is packed with talent. Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will be expected to carry the batting responsibility, while Jayden Lennox and Josh Clarkson could trouble the South African batters with their pace and control. Dale Phillips, who performed admirably in the third One Day match, is a name to watch out for as he could be the difference-maker.

The Senwes Park pitch typically offers a fair contest between bat and ball, with the first session often favoring the bowlers. With the weather expected to be pleasant throughout the match, both teams will be eager to capitalize on their strengths.

Key Players to Watch

South Africa A

• Marques Ackerman (Captain): The team's primary run-scorer, Ackerman has been in excellent form recently and will be crucial in setting a competitive total.
• Zubayr Hamza: A consistent performer in the long format, Hamza is capable of anchoring the innings and guiding the team through tricky situations.
• Codi Yusuf: A potent strike bowler, Yusuf can exploit any mis-hits and is likely to play a key role with the ball.

New Zealand A

• Nick Kelly: A seasoned campaigner, Kelly will be expected to lead the batting charge and provide much-needed stability at the top.
• Jayden Lennox: The New Zealand A skipper, Lennox has been in fine form with the ball, taking 6 wickets in his last five matches at an economy of 2.21.
• Dale Phillips: A versatile all-rounder, Phillips impressed in the One Day series and could be a key contributor with both bat and ball.

Squads

South Africa A (4-day squad)

• Marques Ackerman (captain)
• Okuhle Cele
• Zubayr Hamza
• Codi Yusuf
• Tristan Luus
• Kwena Maphaka
• Rivaldo Moonsamy
• Tshepo Moreki
• Jordan Hermann
• Schalk Engelbrecht
• Lesego Senokwane
• Mihlali Mpongwana
• Tsepo Ndwandwa
• Sinethemba Qeshile

New Zealand A (4-day squad)

• Nick Kelly
• Joe Carter
• Rhys Mariu
• Josh Clarkson
• Simon Keene
• Zakary Foulkes
• Bevon Jacobs
• Adithya Ashok
• Ben Lister
• Jayden Lennox (captain)
• Mitchell Hay
• Curtis Heaphy
• Dale Phillips
• Muhammad Abbas
• Matthew Fisher

Match Predictions

• Toss Prediction: New Zealand A
• Win Prediction: South Africa A
• Top Batter (Runs): Zubayr Hamza (South Africa A)
• Top Bowler (Wickets): Jayden Lennox (New Zealand A)
• Most Sixes: Jordan Hermann (South Africa A)
• Player of the Match: Zubayr Hamza (South Africa A)
• Team Score (Batting First): South Africa A 325+
• Match Handicap: South Africa A

Final Thoughts

This match is expected to be a tight contest between two evenly matched sides, with both teams having the firepower to dominate either aspect of the game. South Africa A’s superior performance in the recent One Day series gives them a slight edge, but New Zealand A’s depth and experience in the longer format could see them spring a surprise. The toss will be crucial, with the team winning it likely to choose to bowl first and exploit the early conditions.

Fans can expect a high-quality cricketing encounter that showcases the future stars of both teams. Stay tuned for live updates, ball-by-ball commentary, and in-depth analysis right here.

FAQs

When does the match start?

The match starts at 09:00 GMT on Sunday, 07 September 2025.

Where will it be played?

The match will be held at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Who are the key players to watch?

• Zubayr Hamza (South Africa A)
• Jayden Lennox (New Zealand A)
• Marques Ackerman (South Africa A)
• Dale Phillips (New Zealand A)

Can I follow live updates?

Yes, live score, commentary, and updates will be available on MyFinal11.in and other leading cricket websites.
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