A brilliant bowling display by New Zealand saw the Momentum Proteas restricted to 155 for five in their fifth and final T20 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Sunday.

After being sent to bat first, the Proteas lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to accelerate the game and take on the New Zealand bowling attack.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt started off positively but swung and missed from Lea Tahuhu for 24 off 20 balls.

Then a 60-run second-wicket stand between Tazmin Brits and Anneke Bosch formed, but it was the only partnership of note as New Zealand kept building pressure.

Bosch was deceived in the end by a low delivery as she attempted to drive but was bowled by Molly Penfold (2-27) for 28.

Brits top-scored with 45 off 38 balls (hitting five fours and a six) before she tried to do a flip shot but was caught off Tahuhu, who ended on figures of two for 20.

Chloe Tryon (9) and Nadine de Klerk (1) didn't last long, and it was left to former Proteas skipper Sune Luus to see her side to a respectable total on the used Benoni pitch.

Luus played a gritty and handy knock, remaining unbeaten on 36 off 23 (hitting five fours) as the Proteas now have to defend 156 to avoid a second-successive T20 series defeat.

The Proteas, who lost 3-0 in the T20 series in Pakistan, require a win to level the five-match T20 series after losing on Saturday and having the other three games rained out.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

NEW ZEALAND: Suzie Bates, Kate Anderson, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu, Molly Penfold, Fran Jonas, Eden Carson