Freshly knighted Proteas put New Zealand to the sword in the shadow of Mount Maunganui

Both teams were unrecognisable from their T20 World Cup semifinal clash as they looked to blood new players on the international scene, with the Proteas boasting four debutants.

Choosing to bat first, the Black Caps were in trouble early. The pitch showed good bounce and carry, suiting the Proteas strong pace attack. 

Gerald Coetzee (2/14) had openers  Devon Conway and Tom Latham back in the hut for single digits by the third over, then top 2026 SA20 wicket-taker Ottniel Baartman cleaned up Tim Robinson and Nick Kelly. And when Rubin Hermann ran out Bevon Jacobs with a sharp direct hit, the hosts finished a disastrous powerplay at 36/5.

Jimmy Neesham combined with captain Mitchell Santner (15) and then Cole McConchie (15) to top score with 26 off 21, but now it was debutant Nqobani Mokoena's turn to rip through the Kiwis. The 19-year-old bowled with pace and precision, earning figures of 3/26 to bowl them out for 91 in the 15th over.

In true New Zealand style, the bowlers scrapped. Zak Foulkes struck early - dismissing Tony de Zorzi for two - and captain Santner led the charge with 1/8 off his four overs. Kyle Jamieson also contributed in the wickets column.

But Conor Esterhuizen anchored the chase with his 45 not out off 48 balls, finishing the modest chase with fellow debutant Dian Forrester (16 not out) in the 17th over.

The second T20I is in Hamilton on Tuesday.