Christchurch, March 25 -- South Africa claimed the T20I series 3-2 after defeating New Zealand by 33 runs in the fifth and final T20I match of the series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday.

Asked to bat first in the series decider, South Africa started well with Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder. Zakaray Foulkes provided the first breakthrough for the Kiwis in the fourth over when he got rid of de Zorzi.

Rubin Hermann (39 off 31 balls) and Mulder (31 off 21 balls) added 55 runs for the second wicket before Josh Clarkson dismissed him.

Then came Connor Esterhuizen and went berserk from the word go. He added 49 runs for the third wicket with Hermann, and then 61 runs for the fourth wicket with Dian Forrester (21 not out off 13 ...