Cricket Betting Tips For 2026 - New Zealand vs South Africa (Game 3)

The middle game of this five-game series has arrived, and we are now at Eden Park. The series is tied 1-1, and a win here would put that country in the driver’s seat to take out the series win. The BettingTop10 have put together their top cricket betting tips for this game.

Game 2 was looking a little in the balance, well, that was until a whopping final over for New Zealand, with 20+ runs scored. That got their overall total to 175, which ended up being more than enough, with South Africa only mustering up 107. The BettingTop10 team has all your cricket betting tips ready to go for this game! We’ve reviewed key players, recent performances and more.

Odds thanks to BetandPlay (accurate at time of publication).

New Zealand

New Zealand successfully bounced back last time out at Seddon Park, and they can take a good grip of this series with a win here. Opener Devon Conway comes into this clash in fine form, so watch out for another great performance from him again. Conway has scored 44 and 60 in his last four innings.

Another player to watch out for with the bat is Mitchell Santner, who has scored 47, 43 and 20 in his last four innings. He also took two wickets in the last game. The captain is certainly leading from the front here, and he is getting lots of support both with the bat and ball.

The middle order for New Zealand was also impressive. They could have fallen apart at the seams, but the likes of Cole McConchie and Josh Clarkson held it together to finish the innings unbeaten. Bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears both picked up three wickets in the last game. 

South Africa

I think South Africa’s inexperience showed its head in Game 2 of this series. While the bowlers were able to somewhat keep it together (apart from the last over, really), it was the batters that let the team down. All the bowlers except Nqobani Mokoena featured in the wickets column.

As for the batters, only George Linde managed a score above 20, with his 33 off 12 balls. No batter could really get going, and there was a collapse towards the end of the innings. The total they were chasing in Game 2 was well within their realm as well.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder was brought into the side for Game 2, and I think the selectors will give him another chance here. He has been performing well with both the bat and ball in domestic cricket. Plus, he was the only bowler to take two wickets in Game 2. 

In T20Is, New Zealand have won three of the last five games against South Africa, which follows a pattern of W-L-W-L-W for the Black Caps. In Game 1, South Africa were dominant, winning by seven wickets after limiting the New Zealand batters to just 91. In Game 2, New Zealand gave South Africa a taste of their own medicine, winning by 68 runs.

The most vital trends that you should be aware of leading into this match: 

• The average first innings score at Eden Park is 160.
• In the 33 T20Is at Eden Park, the team batting first has won on 16 occasions.
• New Zealand have won just two of their last six games here at Eden Park (but they did win their last game here).

With the series tied at 1-1, a lot is riding on Game 3. I’ve been on New Zealand the whole way through this series, and I see no reason to jump off now. They seem to be the much more settled side, and captain Mitchell Santner is leading from the front.

While New Zealand doesn’t have the best of recent records here at Eden Park, they seem like the more well-rounded side and have the talent to chalk up another win. Look for Devon Conway to put in another good performance with the bat to get the Black Caps off to the best start possible.

Take New Zealand to win @ $1.51.

The all-important middle game of this five-game series is almost here. South Africa drew first blood, but New Zealand struck back straight away. New Zealand should be able to win at Eden Park, pushing their series lead out to 2-1. If you’re having a bet on this game, make sure you check if there are any free bets available to take advantage of.