Prince explained the team failed to capitalize on the three ways to succeed in T20 cricket: "You can play a match-winning innings, be in a nice partnership, or have a cameo. Today, the only box we ticked was George Linde." Linde smashed 33 off 12 balls, including three sixes and three fours, but by then South Africa were 67 for 5 in the 11th over and out of contention.
Devon Conway led New Zealand with a match-defining 60, while partnerships exceeding 35 runs and cameos from Cole McConchie (18 off 12) and Josh Clarkson (26 off nine) pushed the total to 175/6. Prince praised Conway's ability to score on a tricky surface, noting: "Devon played a great innings at a strike rate of about 125 on a hard-working pitch."
The Proteas were also affected by injuries and squad rotation, with Jordan Hermann returning home after a hamstring injury. Prince said of Hermann: "It would have been nice for him to play alongside his brother Rubin. He's one of the bright young players in South Africa."
Despite a strong bowling effort early on, captain Keshav Maharaj conceded 24 runs in the final over of New Zealand's innings, a decision guided by head coach Shukri Conrad. Prince defended it: "Keshav has bowled big overs for us lately, and the coach was keen for him to bowl the last over."
With senior batters resting ahead of the Indian Premier League, Prince remains optimistic about the young players' potential. "We have an exciting group who've done well in the SA20 over the last couple of years. It's about giving them time to adapt to international cricket," he said.
The third T20I will be played in Auckland on Friday.
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad says the "jury is out" on whether the T20I series in New Zealand should have been given international status but insists the tour has been an "invaluable exercise".
The Proteas levelled the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday, securing a tense 19-run victory in the fourth match to set up a decisive final clash in Christchurch on Wednesday.
New Zealand comfortably secured an eight-wicket win over a weakened South African side at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match Twenty20 International series.
The Proteas crumbled with the bat to go down by 68 runs against New Zealand in the second T20I in Hamilton on Tuesday with the five-match series now level at 1-1.
