“South Africa vs New Zealand: Breetzke’s Record-Breaking Debut Overshadowed by Williamson’s Masterclass”
South Africa vs New Zealand – Recording their first win of the season, New Zealand came from behind to beat Kiwis by 6 wickets in the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series hosted in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on February 10, 2025. Some very outstanding performances from both sides—including New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and South African debutant Matthew Breetzke—made this match much watched.
South Africa vs New Zealand: Overview of South Africa’s Innings
First to be out was South Africa’s Captain Temba Bavuma, who only scored 20 runs from a short ball from Will O’Rourke. But nurse Matthew Breetzke played with incredible maturity and skill, combining with Jason Smith to score 93 runs together who was out after making 41 runs and was unfortunately run out.
Time stopped as Breetzke completed his half century on 68 balls. He later started accelerating his scoring rate, bringing up his century in 128 balls. Breetzke shifted gears effectively as his next 50 runs came off just 19 deliveries. His innings concluded at 150 runs off 148 balls, 11 fours and five sixes being his boundaries. This feat broke the record of ODI debut score, previously held by Desmond Haynes’ 148 runs in 1978.
Wiaan Mulder assisted South Africa in getting to a competitive total of 304 for 6 in their alloted innings with a brisk 64 runs off 60 balls.
South Africa vs New Zealand: New Zealand’s Chase
New Zealand started chasing the 305 total by steady build up opening with a partnership of 50 runs between Will Young and Devon Conway. Young’s score of 19 was cut short when he was dismissed by Eathan Bosch. This brought Kane Williamson on the crease, which in turn set up a solid 187 run partnership with Conway after Young’s dismissal.
He fell short of a century after being dismissed by Junior Dala. Williamson reached his ODI hundred with great timing off 72 balls. This was his first ODI hundred since the World Cup in 2019. He scored 133 runs off 113 balls and chased the target, establishing victory for the New Zealand. Conway played brilliantly, finishing with 97 runs off 107 deliveries which consisted of 9 fours and 1 six.
With the quick dismissals of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham by Senuran Muthusamy, New Zealand faced some problems, but managed to win. Williamson along with Glenn Waite established an unbroken partnership scoring 57 runs together easing Nz to victory. Tom Latham mid-order contributed heavily by scoring 34 off 41 deliveries. The team won the match with 8 balls spare in the first ODI of the series in Bloemfontein.
South Africa vs New Zealand: Highlights
Matthew Breetzke’s Record-Breaking Debut: Breetzke’s innings of 150 not only set milestones for the rest of the debuts, but asserts South African talent in batting.
Though further highlighting Kane Williamson’s great status as a constant threat in international cricket, his unbatted 133 show experience and skill proved useful towards the end of the game.
Both teams present aggressive defenses with strong alliances that established their high scores, so highlighting the increasing relevance of partnerships in ODI’s.
South Africa vs New Zealand: Bowling Challenges
The South African bowlers seemed to have a simplified task while trying to contain the New Zealand batsmen, more so during the Williamson – Conway partnership. On the other hand, New Zealand bowlers in the death overs had problems against a rampaging Breetzke.
South Africa vs New Zealand: Final Thoughts
This match is a teaser of things to come regarding the ICC Champions Trophy which gives both teams an idea of what they can work on and what are their strengths. South Africa now needs to regroup before the next game against Pakistan. South Africa will have to get back on the winning train in order to have a chance to compete South Africa was already eliminated after New Zealand’s heavy tactics earned them a place in the tri-series final.
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