At Auckland, February 29, 2004. New Zealand won by two runs (D/L method). Toss: South Africa.

Rain reduced this game to a 33-over contest played on the reserve day. Fleming unluckily fell to the only delivery he faced - the ball deflected off his thigh pad - and New Zealand were in trouble when Harris walked out at 73 for five. Recalled mainly for his bowling on slow pitches, he made an invaluable contribution with the bat before becoming Pollock's first victim of the series in the last over of the innings. Gibbs attacked from the word go, but fell to a diving catch by Harris at backward point. Klusener was aggressive, too, and South Africa had reached 40 for one in the sixth over, well ahead of the rate, when he was caught at deep mid-wicket. However, just 13 runs came in the next seven overs, and the ploy of using Morkel as a second pinch-hitter did not come off. More rain then cut a further four overs from the innings, leaving South Africa to get another 107 from 13.2 overs. As in Wellington, Mills bowled the last over, and, as in Wellington, caused New Zealand some anxiety. This time, South Africa needed 28, and looked out of it after managing just one from two balls. Then Boucher hit two sixes - one off a no-ball - to make victory possible. But the next delivery yielded only a single, and although Kallis hit the last two for six and four, New Zealand narrowly secured the series.

Man of the Match: C. Z. Harris.