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.
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".
Tana Umaga headlines a group of four assistant coaches that Dave Rennie has announced as part of his New Zealand leadership group.
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.
