An unbeaten century partnership between Tim Robinson and SA-born debutant Bevon Jacobs set up a 21-run win for New Zealand in their Tri-Series T20I against the Proteas in Harare on Wednesday.

Robinson hit a career-best 75* and Jacobs was unbeaten on 44 as they took the Black Caps from a precarious 70-5 to 173-5 after they were sent in to bat.

South Africa, who won the tournament opener against Zimbabwe on Monday, were bowled out for 152.

Black Caps fast bowlers Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy took three wickets each on a pitch on which the pacemen of both teams induced false shots with short-pitched deliveries.

“The Proteas put us under pressure in the power play,” said New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.

But he hailed an “outstanding” partnership between Robinson and Jacobs, who came together midway through the 10th over.

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Robinson hit six fours and three sixes in a 57-ball innings, while the strongly-built Jacobs showed why he was signed by IPL franchise the Mumbai Indians before making his international debut. He hit a four and three sixes off 30 balls.

Santner said Robinson and Jacobs had shown that it was a good pitch for batting. “We knew we had to bowl well,” he said. His bowlers responded as South Africa also lost early wickets and slumped to 62-5.

HIGHLIGHTS: Proteas vs New Zealand (Tri-Series T20I)

Dewald Brevis slammed 35 off 18 balls, including two sixes off three balls against Henry. But Brevis holed out to a slower ball from Henry in the same over.

“It was a really good pitch,” said Proteas captain Rassie van der Dussen. “The bowlers did their part but it was not a good batting performance.”

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket