Kolkata, March 4, 2026: New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
The contest marks another high-stakes chapter in the T20 rivalry between the two sides. South Africa and New Zealand have met 19 times in T20 Internationals, with the Proteas holding a 12-7 advantage in the overall head-to-head record.
However, in T20 World Cup history, South Africa maintain a flawless 5-0 record against the Blackcaps, adding extra pressure on the Kiwis heading into the knockout clash.
South Africa enter the semi-final unbeaten in the 20-team tournament, showcasing consistency across both the group and Super Eights stages. In contrast, New Zealand suffered defeats in both stages and advanced to the semi-final largely due to a superior net run rate compared to Pakistan.
The two sides previously met in the group stage of the ongoing tournament, where South Africa secured a convincing seven-wicket victory. Left-arm pacer Marco Jansen starred with a four-wicket haul, while captain Aiden Markram anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century.
With a place in the final at stake, both teams will be aiming to overcome past narratives — South Africa seeking to maintain their dominance, and New Zealand hoping to rewrite history on the big stage.
