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Highest Successful Run-Chases For New Zealand vs South Africa In ODIs

Aakash Saini

Highest successful run-chases for New Zealand vs South Africa [Source: @BLACKCAPS/x]Highest successful run-chases for New Zealand vs South Africa [Source: @BLACKCAPS/x]

New Zealand and South Africa share a storied history in ODIs ever since their first meeting back in February 1992. Some of the most exciting matches between the two nations have been defined by some exhilarating run-chases orchestrated by New Zealand, with the most notable of them being the electric World Cup semifinal from 2015.

Celebrating the rivalry of the two white-ball titans, here is a look at New Zealand’s five highest successful run-chases against South Africa.

5. New Zealand 254-5 Christchurch, 2004

New Zealand chased down South Africa’s 253-run total with five wickets and nearly five overs to spare at the Jade Stadium in Christchurch back during the second ODI of the six-match home series from early 2004. Then New Zealand captain and legendary opening batter Stephen Fleming compiled 108 runs from 115 balls with 10 boundaries and two sixes, before Craig McMillan’s 69-ball 70 catalyzed the rest of the ‘Black Caps’ innings against the likes of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Lance Klusener and Jacques Kallis.

4. New Zealand 260-4 Dunedin, 2004

Just a week after eclipsing South Africa’s 253 in Christchurch, hosts New Zealand also mowed down their 260-run target against the same opponents, albeit at Dunedin’s Carisbrook in the fourth ODI of the six-match series in February 2004. With South Africa amassing 259-7 from 50 overs, half-centurions Stephen Fleming (51 off 56), Hamish Marshall (74 off 94) and Scott Styris (69 off 62) helped New Zealand go past the visitors’ total in 49 overs to take a 3-1 lead in the series.

3. New Zealand 280-3 Hamilton, 2017

New Zealand and South Africa engaged in a high-scoring cracker at the Seddon Park in Hamilton during the fourth ODI of their five-match series back in early 2017. South Africa batted first and hauled 279-8 from 50 upfront courtesy of half-centuries from Faf du Plessis and AB De Villiers.

In response, blistering New Zealand opener Martin Guptill mounted 180 unbeaten runs from just 138 balls with 15 boundaries and 11 sixes. Apart from Guptill, senior man Ross Taylor also feasted over South African bowlers with 66 runs as New Zealand completed a seven-wicket win in just 45 overs.

2. New Zealand 298-6 Auckland, 2015

In a high-stakes World Cup 2015 semifinal at the Eden Park in Auckland, the New Zealand team was set a revised target of 298 runs from 43 overs after South Africa listed 281-5 in a rain-marred innings. Then captain Brendon McCullum started off with a fiery 26-ball 59 at the top of the order. Grant Elliott paced the remainder of New Zealand’s run-chase, top-scoring with 84* runs from just 73 balls, with one of his three sixes being the winning hit in a thrilling final-over showdown.

1. New Zealand 305-4 Lahore, 2025

New Zealand foiled South Africa’s high-scoring party by chasing down their 304-run total with utmost ease in the second ODI of the Pakistan tri-series in February 2025. After Matthew Breetzke’s debut hundred elevated South Africa to 304-6, New Zealand opener Devon Conway and senior man Kane Williamson made lightwork of their monumental target by composing 187 runs for the second wicket. Conway missed his century at 97, while Williamson recorded an unbeaten 133* from 113 balls as New Zealand listed its highest successful run-chase against South Africa in ODIs.