South Africa will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, March 4. The winner of the match between South Africa and New Zealand will face India or England in the final on March 8 in Ahmedabad.
The Proteas have been the team to beat in the tournament. They qualified for the semi-finals from Group 1 with a perfect 100% record and booked their place in the last four after a win over Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, New Zealand advanced from Group 2 to the semi-finals due to better net run rate. Notably, both the teams had previously met in the group stage, where South Africa registered an impressive seven-wicket win.
This article covers the first semi-final of South Africa vs New Zealand, including match preview, live streaming details, pitch and weather conditions, head-to-head statistics and key players.
South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Semi-Final Preview:
Date and Place:
The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the first semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand on Wednesday, March 4.
Squad:
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brewis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Johnson, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Mfaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie.
South Africa vs New Zealand Probable XI
South Africa are likely to field their best possible playing eleven. He has a strong balance of explosive batting and a world-class bowling attack.
South Africa’s playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Dewald Brewis, Marco Johnson, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
New Zealand will rely on their tactical flexibility and experience in the knockout matches. Having adapted well to the subcontinent conditions, he is expected to opt for more all-rounders.
New Zealand Playing XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.
South Africa vs New Zealand Key Matches:
quinton de kock vs matt henry
Quinton de Kock has been one of the best batsmen for the Proteas. He has the ability to dominate the powerplay and give good starts to his team. He will be up against Matt Henry, who is New Zealand’s most disciplined seamer and is capable of getting bounce and movement.
De Kock has scored 171 runs in seven matches at an average of 24.43 and strike rate of 135.71. The left-handed batsman scored 59 against Afghanistan and 47 off 24 balls to dismantle the West Indies bowling attack. Henry has taken seven wickets at an economy rate of 7.41 with a best bowling figures of 2/23.
Glenn Phillips vs Keshav Maharaj
Glenn Phillips is an aggressive batsman in the middle order of New Zealand. He will face a tough challenge from Keshav Maharaj, against whom it is very difficult to score runs on a turning track. Maharaj’s control in the middle overs often troubles aggressive batsmen like Phillips and forces him into mistakes.
Phillips has scored 176 runs in five innings at an average of 44.00 and a strike rate of 160, including a half-century with a best score of 76. Notably, in the last encounter between the two teams during the group stage, Maharaj had dismissed him on one run.
david miller vs michel santner
This battle in the middle overs can decide the match. David Miller will take on Mitchell Santner, whose clever changes in pace and left-arm angle are often used to stop the big hitters. If Miller can dominate Santner, South Africa can take the lead in the middle overs.
Miller has scored 168 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 84.00 and strike rate of 158.49, which also includes a half-century. The left-handed batsman also scored an unbeaten 27 off 14 balls against New Zealand in the group stage. Meanwhile, Santner has failed to perform well with the ball so far in the tournament.
Tim Seifert vs. Marco Jansson
The battle between Tim Seifert and Marco Jensen will be an important powerplay contest. Seifert has been New Zealand’s key attacking player and has scored 216 runs at a strike rate of 157.66 in the 2026 World Cup.
Marco Johnson has been lethal for South Africa so far in the tournament, taking 11 wickets, including 4 for 22 against India. Jensen has already dismissed Seifert once in this tournament during their previous meeting at the Narendra Modi Stadium and will be looking to repeat that early success.
South Africa vs New Zealand Key Players:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry.
Free Live Streaming of South Africa vs New Zealand in India, Live Telecast:
TV rights in India: The South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final will be telecast live on Star Sports Network.
Live Streaming Platform in India: Fans can live stream the match on JioHotstar app and website.
When will the match happen? The first semi-final will be played on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Where will the match be played? The competition is scheduled for Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
How to watch live broadcast on television? Viewers can watch Star Sports channel.
How to live stream online on mobile? The match is available on JioHotstar with valid subscription.
South Africa vs New Zealand Weather Report, Kolkata
The weather in Kolkata on March 4 is expected to be clear and pleasant for cricket. The temperature will be around 27°C in the evening and may drop slightly at night. There is no rain predicted, which should allow for a full 40 overs match.
However, the high humidity levels at Eden Gardens are likely to result in considerable dew during the second innings. This can make the ball sticky and difficult for the bowlers to catch, especially the spinners.
South Africa vs New Zealand Pitch Report Eden Gardens:
The pitch at Eden Gardens is considered batsman-friendly and this trend has continued with many high-scoring matches during the T20 World Cup 2026. The surface looks dry, but a thin layer of grass before the match helps the seamers to get a start, especially with the new ball.
Dew is expected to play a major role in the later games. Since it becomes easier to bat in the light, the captain who wins the toss may choose to bowl first to take advantage of better conditions in the second innings.
In the overall T20I at the venue, the average score of the first innings is 163, while the average score of the second innings is 142. During the T20 World Cup 2026, the average score of the teams in the first innings is 183.83 and 156.00 in the second. Scotland recorded the highest score of 207-4 against Italy in this event in Kolkata.
South Africa vs New Zealand head-to-head record
| statistics | Matchbox | SA won | New Zealand won | N.R. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 19 | 12 | 7 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cup | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| in india | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
South Africa vs New Zealand head-to-head records: Key stats:
South Africa has clearly dominated New Zealand in T20 international matches. Out of the 19 matches between the two sides, South Africa has won 12, while New Zealand has managed to win seven.
In the T20 World Cup, South Africa has a record of 4–0, having defeated New Zealand in every match in 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2026. On Indian soil, the Proteas also remained unbeaten, winning the only T20I played between the two teams in Ahmedabad in 2026.
South Africa vs New Zealand head-to-head records: last five matches
However, New Zealand won three of the last five T20Is between the two sides. South Africa had the upper hand in the most recent clash, registering an impressive seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the group stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Proteas will be hoping to continue their recent form.
South Africa vs New Zealand head-to-head records – results of last 5 games
South Africa won by 7 wickets in Ahmedabad on 14 February 2026
New Zealand won by 3 runs in Harare on July 26, 2025
New Zealand won by 7 wickets in Harare on July 22, 2025
New Zealand won by 21 runs in Harare on July 16, 2025
South Africa won by 78 runs in Auckland on 17 February 2017
South Africa vs New Zealand – Conclusion
South Africa will enter the semi-finals with momentum and confidence. They have been unbeaten in the tournament, including a spectacular win over New Zealand in the group stage. Their quality bowling and reliable batting make them a dangerous team at the Eden Gardens.
Meanwhile, New Zealand have adapted well to the subcontinent conditions and will look to use disciplined bowling and smart tactics to slow down South Africa. The initial phase of the match can be decisive.
If the Black Caps can handle the threat of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, they will have a real chance of breaking South Africa’s winning streak and reaching the final.
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