South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is firing on all cylinders after a commanding seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad. The Proteas now boast three consecutive wins, leading Group D with authority while New Zealand slips to second.
Having dismantled Canada by 57 runs and edged Afghanistan in a super-over nail-biter, South Africa were primed for another statement win. Saturday’s clash at Narendra Modi Stadium saw New Zealand bat first after losing the toss, posting 7/175.
Finn Allen’s explosive 31 off 17 (four fours, two sixes) and Mark Chapman’s fiery 48 (six fours, two sixes) highlighted New Zealand’s innings. Daryl Mitchell’s 32 and an unbroken 23 from James Neesham pushed the total, but South Africa’s bowlers, led by Marco Jansen’s four-for, restricted them effectively.
Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, and Corbin Bosch shared the remaining spoils. Tim Seifert (13) and Rachin Ravindra (13) couldn’t build on early promise as wickets tumbled to 4/64.
South Africa’s chase was a captain’s knock masterpiece. Aiden Markram bludgeoned 86 not out from 44 deliveries, dismantling the Kiwi attack with ruthless precision. Paired with Quinton de Kock’s 20 in a 62-run powerplay blast, then Rickelton’s 21 and Brevis’s 21, Markram set the tone.
The finishing touch came with David Miller’s unbeaten 24 in a 47-run stand, sealing the deal in 17.1 overs. Ferguson, Neesham, and Ravindra grabbed a scalp apiece, but South Africa’s momentum is unstoppable.
As Group D heats up, South Africa’s hat-trick positions them as frontrunners, with eyes on a flawless group stage run.