ICC T20 World Cup Matches

South Africa defeated New Zealand by one run in a thrilling low-scoring match at Lord's.

South Africa's bowlers, led by the unhittable spin of Roelof van der Merwe, pulled an improbable victory out of the jaws of defeat as they successfully defended a meagre target of 129 and snuck home by a solitary run to secure the Group D bragging rights in a scrappy but compelling dead-rubber tussle at Lord's.

South Africa's total of 128-7 seemed below-par but New Zealand never got the upper-hand in reply to eventually fall just short of their target on 127-5.

The Black Caps had only reached 57-2 by the halfway point in their reply with the third-wicket partnership of Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor holding the key.

At the halfway mark of the match, it seemed there could be only one winner, after South Africa had squandered a platform of 47 for 0 after their Powerplay overs to dribble to a disappointing 20-over total of 128 for 7. But New Zealand's response never emerged from second gear. A 54-ball 57 from Brendon McCullum set the platform, but his team-mates failed to dive in, and bizarrely they ran out of steam with six wickets still standing.

Their 50-stand came up off an uncharacteristically circumspect 63 deliveries just before slow left-armer Roelof van der Merwe (who finished with the outstanding figures of 4-0-14-2) removed both in quick succession.

Taylor (22) was bowled going for a heave over the on-side and then McCullum (57) was defeated in the flight and stumped by a distance.

The bulk of the credit belonged to van der Merwe, who put a momentum-squandering six-ball duck behind him to concede a mere 14 runs from his four overs, as well as capturing both of New Zealand's dangermen. McCullum was stumped by a distance as he gave the charge and missed, while Ross Taylor swished flat-footedly and was bowled for 22 from 31 balls, a peculiarly ponderous innings that was compounded by a tweaked hamstring that hampered his mobility in the second half of his knock.

That left 36 needed off the last the three overs with Jacob Oram (24) and Scott Styris (7 not out) at the crease.

The hugely experienced duo got the equation down to 15 from the final six balls with young pace bowler Wayne Parnell to bowl.

Jacques Kallis put down a difficult chance at long-on that would have virtually settled the match but then Oram got an inside-edge to the boundary off the penultimate ball to leave the same batsman needing four off the final delivery.

The left-hander could only send a full ball to long-on and he was easily run out going for the third run that would have given his side a tie.

Openers Kallis (24) and Graeme Smith (33) had earlier got South Africa off to a sedate start but, in light of what followed, it turned out to be a crucial stand of 49 off seven overs.

From Smith's four at the end of the sixth over - the joint-highest of the innings of 12 off Brendon Diamanti - it took another 23 balls for the batting side to reach the boundary again.

Brendon McCullum instigated the breakthrough when he smartly fielded in the covers and threw down the stumps with Kallis out of his crease backing up at the non-striker's end.

From 63-1 the South Africans then proceeded to lose three wickets for two runs in 13 deliveries, with seamer Ian Butler at the heart of the squeeze on his way to figures of 4-0-13-2.

JP Duminy (29) and AB de Villiers (15) then attempted a salvage mission until the latter was run out going for a second run thanks to a direct hit from boundary fielder Martin Guptill.

Duminy's six over long-on - the first since the third over - was hit over midwicket to bring up the hundred off Oram at the end of the 17th over.

Duminy then ensured South Africa got past their lowest ever Twenty20 International score when he picked Kyle Mills up over midwicket for his second six. Mills got his revenge next ball when the left-hander sent the ball searing into the hands of long-on.

With both teams having accounted for Scotland in their opening match, the competitive juices are now well and truly flowing going into the business end of the tournament.