Reyneke, Khaka and Mlaba star in South Africa's series-levelling win

South Africa Women levelled the series 1-1 with an 18-run win over New Zealand in the second T20I at Hamilton.

Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba shared seven wickets between them, defending a total of 177.

New Zealand were strongly placed at 70/2, with Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine steering the innings. Mlaba trapped Kerr lbw, and Nadine de Klerk dismissed Devine the following over, slowing the chase.

Izzy Sharp kept New Zealand in contention, but Khaka's change of pace proved difficult to score off. Mlaba removed Suzie Bates in the 14th over, leaving Sharp short on partners. Sharp's hat-trick of fours in the 17th over kept hopes alive, but needing 36 from three overs, New Zealand were all out with five balls remaining.

Kerr attributed the loss to an inability to rotate strike and find boundaries in the middle overs.

Player of the Match Kayla Reyneke was the difference for South Africa.

South Africa's innings was built on Tazmin Brits, who attacked in the Powerplay and reached fifty in the 11th over. However, her dismissal sparked a collapse from 110/1 to 120/4.

Reyneke provided the late push, hitting three consecutive sixes off Sophie Devine in the 20th over, forming a key partnership with Laura Wolvaardt.

"It is not the name, but the bowler. The ball," Reyneke said. "I was just watching the ball, trying to clear the boundaries."

Brief scores:
South Africa Women 177/5 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 53, Laura Wolvaardt 43*; Amelia Kerr 2-29, Jess Kerr 2-34) beat New Zealand Women 159 all out in 19.1 overs (Amelia Kerr 32, Izzy Sharp 29; Ayabonga Khaka 4-27, Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-27) by 18 runs.