Despite being behind 1-0 in the two-match Test series, a second-string South African team fiercely contested the home side, securing a 31-run lead.
David Beddingham and Keegan Peterson forged a formidable partnership in the third innings after the visitors endured a shaky start.
The New Zealand team needed something extraordinary to break this partnership, and it arrived in the form of Glenn Phillips’ remarkable catch, leaving both the audience and players amazed.
In the 60th over, Matt Henry delivered a good-length ball outside the off-stump, prompting Peterson to attempt a cut shot. The ball raced towards the gully region like a bullet, where Phillips dove to his right, snatching the ball with one hand to complete a stunning catch.
An incredible catch by Glenn Phillips as he takes the wicket of Petersen 🔥🏏@BLACKCAPS v South Africa: 2nd Test | LIVE on DUKE and TVNZ+ pic.twitter.com/zTOYDW3Bq7
— TVNZ+ (@TVNZ) February 15, 2024
Despite the limited reaction time, Phillips’ acrobatic effort to break the 98-run fifth-wicket partnership filled both the bowler and fielder with immense jubilation. Witnessing the 27-year-old prowling the field like a beast, the Twitter community drew parallels between his athleticism and that of the great Jonty Rhodes of South Africa.