The initial tour schedule had the second Test at the Basin Reserve.[8] However, on 27 January 2022, New Zealand Cricket announced a change to the itinerary, with all the matches moved to the Hagley Oval.[9]
New Zealand won the first Test match inside three days, by an innings and 276 runs.[10] In their first innings, South Africa were bowled out for 95 runs.[11] It was the first time they had been bowled out for less than 100 runs in the first innings of a Test match since 1932.[12] It was South Africa's second-biggest defeat, in terms of innings, in Test cricket,[13] and their first loss to New Zealand since March 2004.[14] South Africa won the second Test by 198 runs to draw the series 1–1,[15] maintaining their unbeaten Test series run against New Zealand.[16]