Robinson, Jacobs set up Black Caps victory over South Africa

A purposeful century partnership from Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon Jacobs set up the Black Caps' victory over South Africa in New Zealand's first match in the T20 tri-series in Harare.

Robinson and South African-born Jacobs put on an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 103 to give New Zealand a total of 173 for in their 20 overs, after the Proteas won the toss and decided to bowl first.

South Africa's top order failed in response and they were all out in the 19th over for 152, giving New Zealand the win by 21 runs.

Pace bowlers Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry took three wickets each for the Black Caps.

Robinson made the most of his call-up into the Black Caps side after Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Adam Milne and Glenn Phillips couldn't play in this match because they were involved in the United States Major League Cricket final in Dallas.

Robinson, batting at No 3, signalled his intentions with a six off spinner George Linde, and held the early part of the innings together with the departures of Tim Seifert (22), Devon Conway (9) and Daryl Mitchell (5) and then the loss of Mitch Hay (2) and James Neesham (0) within four deliveries, leaving the side 70 for five. Neesham's departure gave him the unwelcome record of most ducks in T20s for New Zealand, with his seven surpassing Colin de Grandhomme's six.

The arrival of Jacobs saw the run rate lift and their century stand made sure the Black Caps had a competitive total.

Robinson's 75 off 57 balls was his best at this level, while Jacobs hit 44 off 30 balls, with their best hitting coming with the 63 runs posted in the last six overs.

"The longer we spent at the crease, the easier the runs would come,'' Robinson, who was adjudged player of the match, said afterwards.

"I suppose we couldn't afford to lose any more wickets, so we were trying to take it as deep as we possibly could."

Robinson praised the impact of Jacobs.

"He is quite the big guy and you think he should hit a big ball and he sure does," he said.

"It was fantastic batting with him. What stood out for me was when he came out he was very calm... and looked very comfortable out there and played a really good knock."

In reply, South Africa had a good enough start with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks putting on 34 for the opening partnership, but they soon struck trouble, with Henry, Duffy, Mitch Santner and Ish Sodhi all getting the early wickets.

They were 62 for five, before Dewald Brewis and Linde put on 39 for the sixth wicket, but their finish was meek as Duffy took two wickets in two balls in his final over and Henry wrapped up the innings in the next over.

Ravindra, Bracewell, Chapman, Milne and Phillips will all be available for the Black Caps' second match, against Zimbabwe tomorrow night.

The Proteas had beaten Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening match of the series on Monday.

T20 tri-series

South Africa beat Zimbabwe by five wickets

Black Caps beat South Africa by 21 runs

Black Caps v Zimbabwe, 18 July, 11pm:

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