South Africa, New Zealand stoke Valentine's Day bromance

India versus Pakistan. The Ashes. Springboks versus All Blacks. South Africa versus New Zealand in cricket World Cups isn't in that league of colossal contests, but the fixture comes with a compelling narrative freighted with drama and consequence.

South Africa have won seven of their 13 completed men's World Cup meetings against the Kiwis in both formats, including all four in the T20 version. But New Zealand have won both ODI knockout games – the quarterfinal in Mirpur in 2011 and the semifinal at Eden Park four years later.

The 2011 quarterfinal was infamous. Chasing only 222, South Africa lost their last seven wickets for 51 runs. The tipping point came when New Zealand substitute Kyle Mills ran onto the field, ostensibly with water, but seemingly to rile up the South African batters to the extent that umpires had to intervene.

In 2015, Johannesburg-born Grant Elliott hit Dale Steyn for a six to win the match with a ball to spare. A subplot was the controversial omission of South Africa's in-form fast bowler Kyle Abbott for Vernon Philander, a decision driven by transformation targets that undermined trust for years.

In women's World Cups, New Zealand lead the ODI head-to-head 3-2 and the T20I stakes 4-2, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Dubai by defending 158.

Overall, New Zealand are 13-11 ahead in World Cup meetings heading into Saturday's men's T20 World Cup clash in Ahmedabad. Both teams have won their first two Group D matches and are on course for the Super Eight.

At his press conference on Friday, New Zealand's Matt Henry said, "It's always exciting to play South Africa… They're always going to be strong in all areas. It's a challenge we look forward to." He added on the camaraderie, "We've always got on really well with South African sides… But we know that when we play the game, it's fierce competition."

South Africa's Aiden Markram concurred, stoking the bromance on Valentine's Day eve: "Their approach to cricket is similar to South Africa's… They're a great bunch of guys… Because of that, there's quite a bit of respect between the teams."

The modern franchise system has deepened these connections. Four New Zealanders featured in the latest SA20, while the IPL will have 17 South Africans and 12 New Zealanders. Markram acknowledged this fraternisation means the international game is "potentially not having that same presence and edge that it used to have back in the day".

A subplot is the presence of Rob Walter, the former South Africa white-ball head coach who now holds the same position with New Zealand. Both sides downplayed any advantage. Henry said, "I wouldn't say [he's revealing] secrets." Walter concurred: "I don't think it gives us any edge… The team that responds quickest and executes best on the day is probably going to win."

Walter, who has lived in New Zealand since 2016, addressed the similarities between the teams: "New Zealanders and South Africans are very similar in terms of who they are from a cricket point of view; how they play the game… They're a good bunch of guys on both sides of the coin – hungry to do well, super competitive, and pretty humble characters."

Beyond cricket, the shared Southern Hemisphere outlook bonds them. "We say braai. They say barbecue. We both say, and drink, beer. And grow, make and wax lyrically about, and drink, wine."