SA vs NZ: Will South Africa again get a ticket to the final or will New Zealand create history?

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has now reached the knockout stage. Today (4 March) the first semi-final match is to be played between South Africa and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. The South African team, captained by Aiden Markram, is unbeaten in the tournament, while New Zealand had to face a near defeat at the hands of England in the Super-8. Due to this defeat of the Kiwi team, Pakistan had a chance to reach the semi-finals but Sri Lanka eliminated it.

After scoring 212 runs, Pakistan team could not limit Sri Lanka below 147, due to which New Zealand got the ticket for the semi-finals on the basis of better net runs. Now the New Zealand team would like to create history by reaching the T20 World Cup final for the first time. This team has performed united so far under the captaincy of Mitchell Santner but they will once again face a tough test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. The Proteas team has defeated the Kiwis in the group stage.

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South African team is in form

South Africa had suffered a heart-breaking defeat from India in the final of the last edition. This time she seems to be a strong contender for the title. After remaining unbeaten in the group stage, he also won all his three matches in the Super-8. Runs are pouring in from the bats of Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton. Dewald Brewis, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs are playing their roles well. Whereas Lungi Ngidi, Marco Janson and Corbin Bosch have taken the lead with the ball.

Kagiso Rabada was going a bit expensive but he looked in his old colors against West Indies. Keshav Maharaj’s role will also be important in Eden Gardens. If the ball turns even a little then it can become a problem for the Kiwi batsmen.

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New Zealand is heavy here

The morale of the Kiwi team would have been boosted by the return of Matt Henry. Henry had returned home on paternity leave. He reached Kolkata last night and joined the team. Henry did not get a chance to take part in the practice session but he will be a part of the playing XI. Jimmy Neesham can be played in place of Ish Sodi, as there will not be much support for spin at Eden Gardens. There is no need for any change in the batting of Kiwi team.

New Zealand will have a psychological edge in this match. It has never lost to South Africa in a knockout match of an ICC tournament. The Kiwi team has defeated South Africa in the 2011 ODI World Cup quarter-finals, 2015 ODI World Cup semi-finals and last year’s Champions Trophy semi-finals. However, this time in the T20 format both these teams are face to face in the knockout match. It remains to be seen who prevails here.

Head to head record in SA vs NZ T20:

• Matches played – 19
• South Africa won – 12
• New Zealand won – 7

Probable playing XI of both the teams:

New Zealand – Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie/Jacob Duffy, Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

South Africa – Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickleton, Dewald Brewis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Yanson, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi