New Zealand v South Africa, 2011-12

At Wellington (Westpac Stadium), February 25, 2012 (day/night). South Africa won by six wickets. Toss: New Zealand.

New Zealand squandered a promising start in the face of aggressive bowling by South Africa, who refused to go on the defensive, even when their hosts were 137 for two with 20 overs to go. Kallis suckered Brendon McCullum into thrashing a catch to deep cover and did much the same with Ryder, caught at deep square leg. Those wickets changed the course of the innings, which fizzled out. The game caught alight again, briefly, with three wickets at the start of South Africa's run-chase, but McCullum later admitted he had been guilty of backing off and allowing his fellow captain (and keeper) de Villiers to play himself in without pressure. Dabs to third man were the feature of de Villiers's innings, despite four sixes. His single-taking was as brilliant as it was infuriating. The result was emphatic, with du Plessis clubbing a weary attack in the pressure-free closing overs.

Man of the Match: A. B. de Villiers.