South African cricket team in New Zealand in 2021–22

{{Short description|International cricket tour}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}

{{Infobox cricket tour

| series_name = South African cricket team in New Zealand in 2021–22

| team1_image = Flag of New Zealand.svg

| team1_name = New Zealand

| team2_image = Flag of South Africa.svg

| team2_name = South Africa

| from_date = 17 February

| to_date = 1 March 2022

| team1_captain = Tom Latham

| team2_captain = Dean Elgar

| no_of_tests = 2

| team1_tests_won = 1

| team2_tests_won = 1

| team1_tests_most_runs = Colin de Grandhomme (183)

| team2_tests_most_runs = Kyle Verreynne (188)

| team1_tests_most_wickets = Matt Henry (14)

| team2_tests_most_wickets = Kagiso Rabada (10)

| player_of_test_series = Matt Henry (NZ)

}}

The South Africa cricket team toured New Zealand in February and March 2022 to play two Test matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/south-africa-to-host-netherlands-india-and-bangladesh-during-home-summer-1276992 |title=South Africa to host Netherlands, India and Bangladesh during home summer |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=9 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sacricketmag.com/india-set-for-blockbuster-tour-to-south-africa/ |title=India set for blockbuster tour to South Africa |work=SA Cricket Mag |access-date=9 September 2021}} The Test series formed part of the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship.{{Cite web |title=Schedule for inaugural World Test Championship announced |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/742337 |access-date=11 January 2019 |website=International Cricket Council}}{{Cite web |title=Men's Future Tours Programme |url=https://icc-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ICC/document/2018/06/20/6dc2c8d4-e1a5-4dec-94b4-7121fab3cd7f/ICC_Tours.pdf |access-date=11 October 2019 |website=International Cricket Council}} In September 2021, the tour dates were changed slightly due to COVID-19 quarantine requirements for travelling to New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/126400216/india-tour-of-new-zealand-postponed-as-crickets-hefty-miq-allocation-revealed |title=India tour of New Zealand postponed as cricket's hefty MIQ allocation revealed |work=Stuff |access-date=16 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/covid-19-rules-nz-quarantine-facilities-in-place-for-bangladesh-netherlands-south-africa-to-tour-in-2021-22-but-no-india-1278110 |title=NZ quarantine facilities in place for Bangladesh, Netherlands, South Africa to tour in 2021-22 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=16 September 2021}} In November 2021, New Zealand Cricket confirmed the full dates of the tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/summer-of-opportunity-looms-for-blackcaps-white-ferns |title=Summer of opportunity looms for Blackcaps and White Ferms |work=New Zealand Cricket |access-date=12 November 2021}}

The initial tour schedule had the second Test at the Basin Reserve.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/black-caps/300504617/nz-cricket-revises-home-schedule-for-black-caps-and-white-ferns |title=NZ Cricket revises home schedule for Black Caps and White Ferns |work=Stuff |access-date=26 January 2022}} However, on 27 January 2022, New Zealand Cricket announced a change to the itinerary, with all the matches moved to the Hagley Oval.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/nzc-announces-revised-home-schedule |title=NZC announces revised home schedule |work=New Zealand cricket |access-date=27 January 2022}}

New Zealand won the first Test match inside three days, by an innings and 276 runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-in-new-zealand-2021-22-1288965/new-zealand-vs-south-africa-1st-test-1288981/match-report-3 |title=Tim Southee five-for wraps up clinical innings win as South Africa unravel again |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=19 February 2022}} In their first innings, South Africa were bowled out for 95 runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/300517611/recap-black-caps-vs-south-africa--first-cricket-test-in-christchurch |title=Recap: Black Caps vs South Africa - first cricket test in Christchurch |work=Stuff |access-date=19 February 2022}} It was the first time they had been bowled out for less than 100 runs in the first innings of a Test match since 1932.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/nz-vs-sa-2022-1st-test-stats-stats-south-africas-worst-since-1932-matt-henry-equals-richard-hadlee-1301554 |title=Stats - South Africa's worst since 1932, Matt Henry equals Richard Hadlee |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=17 February 2022}} It was South Africa's second-biggest defeat, in terms of innings, in Test cricket,{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/nz-vs-sa-2022-1st-test-stats-south-africas-second-worst-defeat-ever-tim-southees-home-record-1301919 |title=Stats - South Africa's second-worst defeat ever, Tim Southee's home record |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=19 February 2022}} and their first loss to New Zealand since March 2004.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/127827556/black-caps-earn-first-test-win-over-south-africa-in-18-years-with-innings-rout |title=Black Caps earn first test win over South Africa in 18 years with innings rout |work=Stuff |access-date=19 February 2022}} South Africa won the second Test by 198 runs to draw the series 1–1,{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/127917013/south-africa-thump-black-caps-in-second-test-to-draw-series-11 |title=South Africa thump Black Caps in second test to draw series 1-1 |work=Stuff |access-date=1 March 2022}} maintaining their unbeaten Test series run against New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-in-new-zealand-2021-22-1288965/new-zealand-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-1288982/match-report-5 |title=Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj give South Africa series-tying win |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=1 March 2022}}