South Africa vs New Zealand Semi Final Highlights – T20 World Cup 2026
South Africa vs New Zealand Semi-Final
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Semi final between South Africa and New Zealand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata turned into a dominant performance from the Black Caps. New Zealand chased down the target with remarkable ease, defeating South Africa by 9 wickets with 43 balls remaining to book their place in the semi final.
South Africa Innings – 169/8 (20 Overs)
After winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of early conditions. South Africa began cautiously and attempted to build partnerships in the middle overs.
Marco Jansen played a vital role in stabilizing the innings. The all-rounder scored 55 runs from 30 balls, providing much-needed momentum during the middle phase of the innings. His aggressive stroke play allowed South Africa to accelerate the scoring rate.
Young batter Dewald Brevis added 34 runs from 27 deliveries, showing composure under pressure. Meanwhile, Tristan Stubbs chipped in with 29 runs from 24 balls, helping South Africa push toward a competitive total.
South Africa Batting Highlights
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Marco Jansen | 55 | 30 |
| Dewald Brevis | 34 | 27 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 29 | 24 |
New Zealand Bowling
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 2/34 (4) |
| Rachin Ravindra | 2/29 (4) |
| Cole McConchie | 2/9 (1) |
South Africa eventually finished with 169/8 in 20 overs, setting New Zealand a target of 170 runs.
New Zealand Chase – 173/1 (12.5 Overs)
New Zealand’s response was nothing short of spectacular. From the very beginning, the Black Caps showed aggressive intent and quickly put the South African bowlers under pressure.
The star of the chase was Finn Allen, who delivered a breathtaking performance with the bat. The opener played an extraordinary innings, scoring 100 runs from just 33 balls. His knock featured powerful sixes and boundaries that kept the scoreboard moving rapidly.
The Black Caps reached 173/1 in just 12.5 overs, completing one of the most commanding victories in a T20 World Cup knockout match.
New Zealand Batting Highlights
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | 100* | 33 |
| Tim Seifert | 58 | 33 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 13 | 11 |
South Africa Bowling
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | 1/28 (3) |
| Lungi Ngidi | 0/22 (2) |
| Keshav Maharaj | 0/33 (3) |
Player of the Match
Finn Allen was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding batting performance.
- 100 runs from 33 balls
- One of the fastest centuries in T20 World Cup history
- Dominated the semi final with fearless stroke play
His explosive innings ensured New Zealand advanced to the T20 World Cup 2026 final with confidence.
Match Summary
| Match | T20 World Cup 2026 Semi Final |
|---|---|
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Toss | New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl |
| South Africa | 169/8 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand | 173/1 (12.5 overs) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 9 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Finn Allen – 100* (33) |
Key Takeaways
- Finn Allen’s explosive century completely changed the match.
- New Zealand chased the target with remarkable speed and confidence.
- South Africa posted a decent total but could not control New Zealand’s aggressive batting.
- The Black Caps have now advanced to the T20 World Cup 2026 final.
FAQ Section
Q:1 Who won the South Africa vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 semi final?
New Zealand defeated South Africa by 9 wickets with 43 balls remaining at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Q:2 Who was the Player of the Match in the semi final?
Finn Allen won the Player of the Match award for his explosive 100 runs off 33 balls.
Q:3 How many runs did Finn Allen score in the match?
Finn Allen smashed a remarkable 100 runs from just 33 deliveries during New Zealand’s chase.
Final Thoughts
The South Africa vs New Zealand semi final showcased New Zealand’s dominance and fearless batting approach. Finn Allen’s remarkable century will be remembered as one of the most impactful performances of the tournament.
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