Eden Gardens, Kolkata erupted as South Africa battled to 169/8 in the T20 World Cup 2026 opener semifinal against New Zealand, thanks to Marco Jansen’s explosive unbeaten 55. Kiwis captain won the toss and bowled first, reaping immediate rewards with de Kock and Rickelton back in the hut for ducks inside the powerplay. Brevis and Klaasen fought back with a gritty 43-run partnership, only for the skipper to perish soon after, leaving the Proteas in dire straits at 55/3.
Miller’s dismissal compounded woes at 77/5, but Stubbs and Jansen scripted a rescue act. Their 73-run stand breathed life into the innings, pushing it to 150 before Ferguson castled Stubbs. Jansen’s onslaught continued—blasting five sixes and a couple of boundaries—to drag his team to respectability. Late cameos from Bosch and Rabada were brief, but the total looked defendable.
Bowling honors for New Zealand went to Henry (2/34), McConchie (2/9), Ferguson (1/29), Neesham (1/42), and Ravindra (2/29). As floodlights illuminate Eden Gardens, New Zealand faces a steep chase of 170 to advance. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Jansen’s all-round threat, will look to defend this total fiercely in what promises to be a semifinal for the ages.