Connor Esterhuizen relished his "pinch-me moment" to play for South Africa and help guide them to a 3-2 T20I series win over New Zealand with a 33-run victory in the final match.

South Africa won the first match of the series but had been on the brink of defeat after New Zealand won the following two, though they fought back to go out on a high.

Esterhuizen, who was named the Player of the Series, impressed again in Wednesday's T20I as he top-scored with 75 to propel South Africa to 187-4.

Wiaan Mulder (31), Rubin Hermann (39) and Dian Forrester (21 not out) also chipped in with important runs before the bowlers finished the job.

Gerald Coetzee (2-21), Mulder (2-28) and Ottniel Baartman (2-33) ensured New Zealand were unable to build any real momentum, with Bevon Jacobs' 36 the best score for the Black Caps.

In a young South African side, Esterhuizen excelled in his debut series to help the Proteas to their first bilateral series win in New Zealand since August 2022, and he was thrilled to make such a telling impact.

"I think the nice thing was I got to play with freedom and express myself," Esterhuizen said.

"The one over cover [stands out for me]. In my mind, the openers assessed and said 160 would be competitive, and me and Forrester thought 180 would be a good score, and we ended up with 187.

"I think from the first match, was a bit of a graft, and then you have to play some dots. Then was a bit more free-flowing and got into strong positions, and that sets you in good stead.

"Absolutely [four-day cricket] helps playing T20 cricket. Means everything and pinch-me moment to play for your country.

"Special feeling and humbling. A lot of things stand out, and I loved this series, and I loved the country of NZ."

CHAMPIONS! #TheProteas seal a bilateral series win in New Zealand for the first time since August 2022. 

A hard-fought victory and a true testament to the team’s effort away from home.

: @PhotosportNZ #Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/dGXXO4feeG

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 25, 2026

South Africa also earned back-to-back wins against the Black Caps in the format for the first time since August 2015.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have now lost four of their last six men's T20Is at Hagley Oval (W2) after winning four of their previous five matches at the venue.

And captain James Neesham acknowledged that they had struggled to keep their level high as the series went on.

"Tough start and fought back, but unfortunately, a couple of sub-par performances at the end of the series," he said.

"Long summer and look forward to time at home. Cricket is on all time of the year, and good opportunity here. We saw some experience gained and some good moments.

"I thought we batted and bowled okay, but fielding was below par. South Africa have a quality bowling attack, and batters got a taste of what the next level is like."