In 1953, a railway bridge over the Whangaeu River in Tangiwai, New Zealand collapsed and took the lives of over 150 people. One of the victims was Nerrisa Love, fiance of New Zealand’s fast bowler, Bob Blair. When the accident happened, Blair was one of the players facing South Africa in the second test of the series.
The Tangiwai Shield is the official name given to the rest series between South Africa and New Zealand. The trophy was officially instated in 2023-24, though both sides have been facing each other in test cricket since 1931.
Before 2023, New Zealand and South Africa faced each other in 47 test matches across 17 test series. New Zealand had won only five of these matches whereas South Africa had won 26 of these matches. Out of the 17 series, South Africa had won 13, whereas the other four series ended in a draw.
In 2023-24, when the Tangiwai Shield began, New Zealand won the two-match test series 2-0 to secure the first ever test series win against South Africa. Kane Williamson top scored in the tournament by scoring a total of 403 runs. William O’Rourke was the peak of the bowlers having taken 9 wickets.
Overall, Jacques Kallis has been the highest run-getter in the Kiwi-Proteas test series rivalry. Kallis has scored 1543 runs at an average just above 60. Kallis and Williamson are the only two batters who have struck six centuries in this rivalry. Dale Steyn has been the most successful bowler with 68 wickets. The next best bowler is New Zealand’s Chris Martin with 55 wickets.
