South Africa vs New Zealand Highlights T20 World Cup Semifinal: Finn Allen’s 33-ball ton helps NZ beat SA to reach final

Finn Allen slammed a 33-ball century as New Zealand thrashed South Africa by 9 wickets to reach the finals.

South Africa vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final Highlights: Finn Allen’s 33-ball ton helped New Zealand qualify for the finals after thrashing South Africa by nine wickets in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday

Earlier, Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first as South Africa managed 169/8 in 20 overs.

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South Africa vs New Zealand live score T20 World Cup 2026: Watch here

The finalists from the 2024 version have looked imperious again. Apart from the double super over game against the Afghans in the group stage, they have looked near perfect. The batting has been firing on all cylinders, and Lungi Ngidi, with his altered role midway through the competition, has been a thorn in the flesh of the opposite sides.

As for New Zealand, their performance in the Super 8 stage has been inconsistent. The game against Pakistan was a washout, and they managed to pull a win against Sri Lanka; however, they lost the game against England, which was in their pocket. Come Kolkata, the conditions will be quite different to where they have been playing cricket in the Super 8 stages, which were in Sri Lanka. The finalists from the 2021 World Cup will be hoping to adapt to the conditions and give a good account of themselves.

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Match EndedICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026 - 1st Semi-Final

South Africa

169/8 (20.0)
vs

New Zealand

173/1 (12.5)
Match Ended ( 1st Semi-Final )
New Zealand beat South Africa by 9 wickets
View Scorecard
Live Updates
Mar 4, 2026 10:04 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Finn Allen records fastest T20 WC ton, NZ beat SA

Marco Jansen with his third over. 21 needed. FOUR! Allen starts another over with a boundary. Picks the slower one early, shuffles across and scoops it over the short fine leg. FOUR MORE! Flicks it this time. A low full toss and another boundary. SIX! Jansen tries for a course correction, ends up bowling a short ball, but Allen pulls it with disdain. Moves to his 90s. Is he eyeing a ton here? He can reach as New Zealand need 7 more to win. SIX! Boom, he definitely is looking for his century. Down the ground, straight six this time. FOUR! That's it. Allen gets to his ton in just 33 deliveries! Records the fastest century in the T20 World Cup. Helps New Zealand chase down the target in just 12.5 overs. What a night for him. What a night for the Kiwis, who brought their A game to thrash South Africa and just bat them out of the contest. They will travel to Ahmedabad and will wait for the winner of India vs England to play them in the summit clash.

New Zealand: 173/1 in 12.5 overs: Beat South Africa by 9 wickets

Mar 4, 2026 09:53 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Allen in ominous touch

Keshav Maharaj with his third over. FOUR! Poor delivery. Sprays on the leg, Allen goes on backfoot and clips it at the short fine leg. SIX! Allen in ominous touch. Watch out for him in the summit clash. Clears the long-on fence this time. 12 from the over as only 21 needed in 8 overs now.

New Zealand: 149/1 in 12 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:47 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Misery continues for Corbin Bosch

Corbin Bosch returns. FOUR! Ravindra welcomes him with a boundary as misery continues for Bosch after his 22-run first over. Length ball, flicks it through mid-wicket. SIX! Allen ends the over with a maximum with a pull over cow corner. 13 off the over as NZ need 33 from 54 balls.

New Zealand: 137/1 in 11 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:44 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Rabada removes Seifert

Kagiso Radaba returns. BOWLED! Finally, some relief for South Africa, but it appears to be too little, too late for them. Rabada's full ball nips back in to crash onto the stumps. Rachin Ravindra is the new batter. FOUR! Full ball outside off, Ravindra cuts it past point for a boundary. NZ 124 at the halfway mark.

New Zealand: 124/1 in 10 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:40 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Fifty for Allen as well

Keshav Maharaj continues. FOUR! Finn Allen starts the over with a boundary and then takes a single to reach his fifty in just 19 deliveries. SIX! Picks the length early on this occasion and pulls it over deep mid-wicket. 14 off the over.

New Zealand: 117/0 in 9 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:36 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Seifert hits fifty

Lungi Ngidi returns. FOUR! A boundary brings up Fifty for Tim Seifert in just 28 balls. FOUR MORE! The batters are making a big mockery of this chase. The asking rate is below six now. New Zealand past 100 as well. What a partnership this has been.

New Zealand: 103/0 in 8 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:32 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Maharaj slammed for a boundary

Spin for the first time tonight for South Africa. Keshav Maharaj joins the attack. FOUR! Seifert this time. Cuts through long-off this time to get his fifth four of the innings. Three singles make it a seven-run over.

New Zealand: 91/0 in 7 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:27 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Allen goes berserk

Corbin Bosch to bowl the last over of the Powerplay. SIX! Finn Allen welcomes Bosch with a maximum. Short and wide outside off, Allen slices it over deep backward point to start the over with a maximum. The scorecard reads 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 0 as Finn Allen goes berserk against Bosch, slamming him for five consecutive boundaries, taking 22 off his first over and taking the Kiwis to 84 in the PowerPlay.

New Zealand: 84/0 in 6 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:22 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Seifert continues to attack

Kagiso Rabada returns after an over's break. SIX! Tim Seifert muscles it over long-on. FOUR! This time finds the gap at mid-on. My goodness, New Zealand openers are just in a murderous mood to kill the whole game for South Africa today. 14 off the over.

New Zealand: 62/0 in 5 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:17 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Allen slams a maximum

South Africa's best bowler of the event, Lungi Ngidi, is in the attack now as South Africa are looking for their first breakthrough. Seifert flicks the full ball at mid-wicket and gets three runs on this occasion. SIX! Just two singles from the next four deliveries before Finn Allen moves across the line and scoops the last ball over short fine leg.

South Africa: 48/0 in 4 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:09 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Jansen under the pump

Jansen continues. SIX! Shot! Too full, again in the middle and pummelled down the ground by Finn Allen. SIX! Jansen under the pump. Length ball on off, Seifert shuffles across and scoops it over fine leg. FOUR MORE! Clears the in-field with a lofted straight check drive over long-on. A single to finish the over as 18 come from this.

New Zealand: 37/0 in 3 overs

Mar 4, 2026 09:05 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Allen off the mark with boundary

Kagiso Rabada from the other end. FOUR! Ah, clever from Finn Allen. Length ball on off and Allen guides it between slip and short third man to get off the mark with a boundary. Four more singles make it an 8-run over.

New Zealand: 19/0 in 2 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:59 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Seifert off to quick start

Marco Jansen over the wicket. FOUR! Too full, in the middle for Tim Seifert, and he drives it against the swing through point to get off the mark with a boundary. FOUR! Length delivery, pitched on the middle, straightens up after pitching and an outside edge runs past the slip at third man for a second boundary. 11 off the first over.

New Zealand: 11/0 in 1 over

Mar 4, 2026 08:55 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Back with the chase

Finn Allen and Tim Siefert open for New Zealand in pursuit of 170 vs South Africa. Marco Jansen starts with the new ball.

Mar 4, 2026 08:53 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Score, T20 World Cup: Cole McConchie speaks

We talked about it sort of the last couple of days, but it even got finalised sort of just before warm-ups (replying to when he got to know that he was playing). So nice to come out and contribute and kind of start the ball rolling there. I haven’t played here previously, so I talked to the boys, and it was just, you know, from the spin point of view, kind of bowl hard into the wicket and see if we could get a little bit of grip early, but the way that the South African boys struck it there at the end, hopefully it’s kind of flattening out and we’ve got a bit of a chase I think, obviously, you know, a few nerves (talking about the preparation for this game), World Cup semi-final, but nice to come and, yeah, coaches and staff saw a bit of a match-up there, so nice to come in and contribute. A couple of wickets is always a bonus and, yeah, start the boys off well. I think so (If New Zealand would have taken this score at the start of the game). I think, yeah, stats probably lead a little bit higher, but as you say, if you’ve got a great bowling attack, so we’re going to have to be on top of our game, but, yeah, we’ll take that at the start.

Mar 4, 2026 08:44 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Henry picks two off final over

Matt Henry with the final over of the innings. Just two singles from the first two deliveries before Henry bowls a wide outside offstump. WIDE! WICKET! He yorked Bosch out! Wasn't a slower delivery. 130kmph, straight full in the middle and Bosch misses the swing and has been clean bowled. WICKET! TWO IN TWO FOR HENRY! Full ball on leg, cramps Rabada for room as he chips straight to Neesham at long-on. Keshav Maharaj manages a single off his first delivery. Last ball, Jansen to face. Another yorker, Jansen manages a two as he takes South Africa to 169/8.

South Africa: 169/8 in 20 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:38 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Ferguson removes Stubbs but Jansen keeps at it

Lockie Ferguson to bowl the penultimate over. WICKET! CLEAN BOWLED! A brilliantly executed slower delivery does the trick for Ferguson this time. Corbin Bosch is the new man in. Jansen continues his onslaught as he pulls two short balls over long-on for TWO BACK-TO-BACK SIXES. 13 off the 19th over as SA go past 160.

South Africa: 163/6 in 19 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:33 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: SA reach 150

James Neesham returns. FOUR! Full, outside off, still in the slot for Stubbs, who swings hard and smokes it straight down the ground for a four. SIX! Whacks it over deep mid-wicket this time. Picks the length ball and dispatches it over the fence. FOUR! More runs for South Africa. Sprays down the leg, Jansen gets enough to flick it fine for a four. SIX! Jansen pulls it over the cow corner this time. Big over as 22 come from this. South Africa also reach 150.

South Africa: 150/5 in 18 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:27 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Jansen, Stubbs change gears

Matt Henry is back into the attack in the slog overs. South Africa would still be looking at 160-165 with Stubbs and Jansen in the middle. Bosch and Rabada can swing their bats as well, so the Proteas now have to pick their targets and attack accordingly. SIX! And here we go! Jansen with a big wild swing and clears the long-on fence with a NO LOOK MAXIMUM! FOUR! Top timing from Stubbs as he finds the gap at Cow Corner for a boundary.

South Africa: 128/5 in 17 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:22 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Santner completes top spell

Mitchell Santner with his last over. He has targeted the wide outside off line in this over, but ended up bowling two wides as well. Still only five come from this over.

South Africa: 113/5 in 16 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:16 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Ferguson limits batters to singles

Lockie Ferguson with his third over. He has limited the batters to singles in his over, giving just seven runs even after bowling a no-ball.

South Africa: 108/5 in 15 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:11 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: SA past 100

Rachin Ravindra with his last over. SIX! Jansen using his long levers on this occasion. Shimmies down the track and hits a straight six over the bowler's head. 10 from Ravindra's final over as South Africa get past 100 in 14 overs.

South Africa: 101/5 in 14 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:08 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Lucky but handy runs

Mitchell Santner returns. Three singles from the first four deliveries. FOUR! Didn't intend to hit it on the third man, but Jansen will take this happily seven days of the week. A thick outside edge fetches a four for South Africa this time.

South Africa: 91/5 in 13 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:05 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Another quiet over from Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra continues. The boundaries have dried up as New Zealand bowlers have taken complete control of the proceedings. Just four runs from Ravindra's over.

South Africa: 84/5 in 12 overs

Mar 4, 2026 08:01 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Neesham gets rid of Brevis

James Neesham is back into the attack with his second over. OUT! Oh my goodness, Dewald Brevis falls, and with this, his resistance comes to an end too. Full and wide outside off-stump, lures Brevis to drive and he finds Santner at covers. Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen are the two new batters in the middle.

South Africa: 80/5 in 11 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:57 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Miller out!

Rachin Ravindra continues. DROPPED! Glenn Phillips... Noooo! You don't drop catches. Miller skies it deep at extra cover, but a tumbling Phillips grasses it. SIX! Brevis again. Full in middle, swings through the line and dispatches it deep into the stands at cow corner with a one-handed six. WICKET! Miller is not lucky this time! Daryl Mitchell completes the catch this time after Miller mishits at long-on. South Africa sinking further.

South Africa: 77/4 in 10 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:50 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Brevis hits a biggie

Mitchell Santner again. SIX! Woahoho. What a shot this is from Brevis. Short ball, pulled away by Brevis, and it's a monstrous six over long-on. Four singles to follow as 10 come from this over.

South Africa: 67/3 in 9 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:46 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Ravindra dismisses Markram

Spin from both ends as Rachin Ravindra comes into the attack for Lockie Ferguson. He sprays one down the leg to start with a wide. Markram and then Brevis find a single each. OUT! Rachin strikes in his very first over! Markram miscues it, and Daryl Mitchell takes a phenomenal catch at long-on. David Miller joins Brevis now. Just five runs from this over.

South Africa: 57/3 in 8 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:36 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: SA past fifty

Skipper Mitch Santner is into the attack now. Markram manages a single off the fourth delivery to bring up fifty for South Africa. Just four from this over.

South Africa: 52/2 in 7 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:29 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Top over from Ferguson

Lockie Ferguson again. Brilliant over from him to give just three runs from the last over of PowerPlay.

South Africa: 48/2 in 6 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:27 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Markram, Brevis attack Neesham

James Neesham into the attack. Aiden Markam looks comfortable now after two early jolts. He smacks the full ball on leg over deep mid-wicket for a SIX. Brevis joins the party by hitting two back-to-back FOURS, taking 17 from Neeham's first over.

South Africa: 45/2 in 5 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:24 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Ravindra drops Markram

Okay, so only one over for Cole McConchie as Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack. DROPPED! Markram flicks at mid-wicket but Rachin Ravindra drops this! Should have been the third wicket for New Zealand, but not to be this time. FOUR! He rubs salt to the wound by going for a classy drive through cover. Six runs from this over.

South Africa: 28/2 in 4 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:20 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Henry looks to tighten noose

Matt Henry continues. FIVE WIDES. Henry will be disappointed with himself for bowling this down the leg delivery as it runs past the keeper for five extras. Nice recovery from Henry, who gives just a single from the rest of the over.

South Africa: 22/2 in 3 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:17 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: McConchie picks two

Off-spin straightaway from New Zealand. Cole McConchie is in the attack. Markam, just like the opening over, starts this over with a single. FOUR! Flighted delivery in the middle and QDK dispatches it over the infield at mid-on for a boundary. WICKET! McConchie gets the last laugh! Dangerous de Kock departs in the second over. Back of the length delivery from McConchie, de Kock pulls it but finds Lockie Ferguson at mid-on this time. Ryan Rickelton walks in to join Aiden Markram. OUT! Two in two for McConchie! Would you believe this? New Zealand are off to a phenomenal start. South Africa on backfoot. Rickelton goes for a slash against a short delivery, and he finds Finn Allen at backward point. South Africa... too early to say, but ominous signs for them. Dewald Brevis is the new man at No. 4. He gets a FOUR via a thick edge. Nine runs from this over but two wickets as well.

South Africa: 16/2 in 2 overs

Mar 4, 2026 07:09 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: QDK slams a six off Henry to get things started

Matt Henry to Aiden Markram, a single to open the innings. Markram gets off the mark with a single via flick. de Kock takes his sweet time before launching one over deep square leg for a SIX to get off the mark off the fifth delivery. Bit of swing for Henry as he keeps on hitting the length. Seven off the opening over.

South Africa: 7/0 in 1 over

Mar 4, 2026 07:02 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: All set

Alright then. We are underway for the high-octane semifinal clash in Kolkata. Matt Henry will operate with the new ball. Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock open for the Proteas.

Mar 4, 2026 07:00 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Let's go!

The fielders are ready, the batters are walking into the middle. Whatever the par score on this surface is, South Africa should get 20-30 more than that because of the dew that might form in the second innings. New Zealand has got the toss right, and with the combination they have picked of two spinners and two seamers toss was important to them than the Kiwis.

Mar 4, 2026 06:55 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Lockie Ferguson ahead of game

Obviously different styles of cricket in Colombo, you had to use a lot of spinners, and the team makeup was slightly different, but nice to get the points and then find ourselves in a semi-final. Changes again (talking about the plans), tonight we know how good a bad wicket it is in India, especially this one, so the structure of the team will probably change a little bit, but the boys are up for the challenge. Yeah, lots of advice. I’ll save it for after the game. But no, look, I think a lot of the players have played here. It’s not too dissimilar to other Indian grounds. It’s a good batting track, quick outfield, so it’s important the boys, from a bowling point of view, hit good areas and try to create as much pressure as possible. We know these guys are going to come out hard, but at the same time, if we put the ball in a good area for long enough, we’ll get those rewards. This is a game of cricket. We both start from zero. Obviously, it’s nice to play in semifinals. It’s an exciting occasion. We know how challenging the South African side is and how many star players they have, but the boys are up to it. We’ve got a lot of firepower ourselves, so we’re looking forward to tonight. Great. He’s (Matt Henry) always good. I’ve never seen him down, so I’m sure he’ll go to the fitness test and hopefully all well for tonight.”

Mar 4, 2026 06:52 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: David Miller ahead of game

Obviously very excited the way, especially the way that we played this campaign, and I think for us, it’s a new game, it’s a new start, as we know, just to continue with those good things that we’ve been doing. You know, each individual has been preparing really well, been putting up performances. If you look at the campaign so far, everyone’s contributed at different stages, so that’s always a healthy sign. And yeah, going into this game, it’s another game to do something really special. So I think it’s just making sure that we get into the fight as quick as possible and kind of adapting on the day, see where it goes. Everyone’s really buzzed up and excited and ready to go. We have played here. A lot of guys played here. So, I mean, it generally can be a high-scoring game. You know, there’s a bit of dew around sometimes as well, so that’s taken into consideration. It should be a good wicket. Like I said, let’s adapt as we start. If we bat or bowl first, whatever it is, we kind of sum up the conditions as quick as possible, but I think it will be a good wicket. So it’s just making sure that we do whatever we do first, we do it really well and try and put pressure on to the opposition as quick as possible."

Mar 4, 2026 06:48 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Aiden Markram at toss

Everyone contributed at some stage which is really pleasing. Hopefully we can start well with the bat and put a good score on the board. We trained here last night and putting runs on the board in a knock-out game is not the worst thing. We got 3 changes. Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj is back for us.

Mar 4, 2026 06:44 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Mitchell Santner at toss

We gonna have a bowl, the pitch looked pretty good the other night. We know they are a great outfit and we know we gotta be on, we need to do our thing put them under pressure and see what happens. Matt Henry has made it back in time. So he is there. Neesham is back.

Mar 4, 2026 06:40 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: SA playing XI

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

Mar 4, 2026 06:39 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: NZ playing XI

Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

Mar 4, 2026 06:35 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Toss

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first semifinal

Mar 4, 2026 06:18 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Mitchell Santner on facing South Africa

“Yes. The Ahmedabad surface was a good one and South Africa have got a lot of power. I think the powerplay for us with the ball was you know where they really got away to a flier. So I guess every time we play, we haven’t played the perfect game in this tournament. I think there’s no hiding or secrets about what South Africa bring and then you know, for us. They’ll probably roll out the same team, a very good team at that. So again, it's all up to, I guess, the surface and adapting as quick as we can. But we know if you can get into that top order but their middle order packs a lot of power as well so might not be trying to bowl them it might be trying to get an out of overs and trying to it might be 180 is a good score instead of 220. But I guess we'll wait and see. But yeah, I think they have kind of all bases covered and that's why they're undefeated in this tournament,” he said.

Mar 4, 2026 06:10 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Mitchell Santner on facing South Africa

“It's probably two teams that have been in and around it for a long time I guess we know the heartbreak of South Africa two years ago. I think they are playing some very good cricket and it has shown throughout this this tournament. We have been playing some decent cricket as well. So, I think, yeah, I guess it's whoever turns up on the day tomorrow, whoever assesses conditions the best they can….We know South Africa are going to be a threat, as they've shown, and we're just going to go out there and try to put some pressure on them at different stages of the game and they're going to do the same for us. I guess you're not quite there, especially not quite a final, but it's a massive game and you can do those things well for a long period of time and see what happens. But South Africa are a very well-balanced side as we've seen throughout this tournament,” he added.

Mar 4, 2026 06:07 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Mitchell Santner on facing South Africa

“Yeah, I think it's whether you want to call it the underdogs or not, I think for us it's everyone's goal with that throughout the tournament is to get to the stage. We are here now and we back ourselves in one-off games against most teams. We have to adapt as quick as we can to what’s in front of us. South Africa look like a very good outfit as they have shown. But I guess they are in the same boat as us now – it’s one game and you are into the final. It’s going to be the same for India and England as well. So, I guess conditions have changed a lot for us where we've been. Chennai, Ahmedabad, Sri Lanka, and again we're in Kolkata, we haven't been there before. We'll address conditions tomorrow and see what it looks like but yeah, I think at this stage, it's just a knockout game and that's it at the end of the day and whoever really turns up is it's going to get through,” he said at the pre-match press conference at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday.

Mar 4, 2026 05:55 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Markram after win against Zimbabwe

Yeah, nice to get the win. Can be a tricky one when you change the team up a bit, some boys not playing, but thought the bowlers and fielders really stepped up today. Would've loved to be clinical with the bat but probably not the worst thing that the middle order was put under pressure and came through. Least you can do is give opportunity to the guys working behind the scenes. Never know if you're gonna need them. Can get to conditions that scream out to play one of them and now they've got a game under their belt. Yeah, exciting. Really exciting semifinal. Kolkata. Against New Zealand I believe. The boys will be up for it in a couple of days time. You look at playing one really good game of cricket and hopefully the result takes care of itself. Still 40 overs of good cricket needed and we need to give it that respect.

Mar 4, 2026 05:41 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Introducing McConchie

Only New Zealand would make this call. Jimmy Neesham — a seasoned finisher who plies his trade in franchise leagues around the world — was dropped, replaced by the 34-year-old McConchie, who had just 13 T20I caps to his name, specifically to exploit the sluggish R. Premadasa surface. McConchie's bat was needed before his ball even mattered: when New Zealand slipped to 84/6, he and Mitchell Santner stitched together an 84-run stand off 47 balls to haul the Blackcaps to 168/7. In the chase, while Matt Henry struck twice with the new ball, McConchie applied the squeeze with the older ball — Sri Lanka crawled to just 20/2 in the powerplay — laying the foundation for New Zealand's win and their semi-final place.

Mar 4, 2026 05:32 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: Lungi Ngidi's change of role

Heading into the Super 8s, Ngidi had bowled both his powerplay overs upfront, trying to force wickets with the new ball through conventional swing. Against India, Aiden Markram changed the formula: Ngidi was given just one over inside the powerplay, with the rest of his spell saved for the middle overs, where his off- and leg-cutters with the older ball are most dangerous. Against India, he didn't take a wicket, but he suffocated the batters enough to create pressure at the other end. Against the West Indies, the formula clicked completely — Ngidi bamboozled the hard-hitters to take 3/30, and the Proteas cruised through.

Mar 4, 2026 05:21 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: CSK's Eric Simmons on Ngidi

"Lungi was always a faster bowler than DJ, so it's more about the difference between top speed and the pace off it," Simons says. "The bigger the gap in pace, the more difficult to deal with.”

Mar 4, 2026 05:10 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, 1st Semi-Final: CSK's Eric Simmons on Ngidi

"It was obvious DJ [Bravo] had a very good off-cutter," Simons says. "I videotaped it in practice and noticed his fingers go around the back of the ball, not over the top at all. That's the difference between what most bowlers do and DJ and Lungi.”

Mar 4, 2026 05:05 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: CSK's Eric Simmons on Ngidi

"Most bowl the off-cutter as opening a doorknob," Simons explains. "But the difference with Lungi is that the doorknob is literally vertical above him. His fingers go around the back of the ball, not over the top. A few millimetres makes the difference—it allows the arm speed to be faster, the ball comes out slower and dips later because of the action on the ball at that angle.”

Mar 4, 2026 04:50 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: Brook speaking ahead of game against IND

"We are managing to scrape along in close games and that is the sign of a good side. I have learned you are never out of games. I know I have players with a lot of character, a willingness to win, wanting to win a lot, but also that calmness under pressure."

Mar 4, 2026 04:43 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: Harry Brook on clash against IND

"It's awesome other lads have been able to step up. There have been performances throughout. We have so many powerful players in the top seven that if one comes off, the opposition are scratching their heads and don't really know where to go," Brook was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

Mar 4, 2026 04:33 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: Aiden Markram at toss

"[I've] been very fortunate to lead some really strong teams, a great mix of some younger guys and with a lot of experience in the older guys. You feed off the senior guys in the team, you lean on them a lot and they help guide you and lead you when you have a few doubts and I think because of that and a really strong group of players over the years, we've developed that."

Mar 4, 2026 04:13 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: What did Mitchell Santner say ahead of game

"The other night [India vs West Indies] it was pretty flat. I think there's still a role to play for the spinners. Also seamers. And I think the ground dimensions plays a massive part. I mean in Sri Lanka, we had a big side for both of those games. Whereas it's a little bit smaller here, a bit more central. So, again, it's [about] adapting on the fly."

Mar 4, 2026 03:58 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: SA predicted XI

Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

Mar 4, 2026 03:39 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: NZ probable XI

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

Mar 4, 2026 03:12 PM IST
South Africa Vs New Zealand Live Cricket Score, T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final: Hola!

Hello and welcome to our live blog of South Africa taking on New Zealand in the first semifinal. Both these sides are playing for the first time in Kolkata in this tournament. As per any evidence from the previous encounter at this venue it might be another high-scoring encounter with two power-packed batting line ups.

T20 World Cup: South Africa-New Zealand semifinal promises a cricketing feast with a bevy of match-winners on either side

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Holi in Kolkata, the 2026 T20 World Cup semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa as a masterful display of tactical skill and artistic flair. It emphasizes the "deceptive" craft of the world-class pace attacks—highlighting Matt Henry’s precision and Lockie Ferguson’s raw speed against the guile of Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada—while contrasting the innovative stroke-play of Finn Allen and Quinton de Kock. Ultimately, it frames the encounter as a complete showcase of the format's highest virtues, where subtle variations and individual brilliance take center stage in the absence of traditional mystery spin. (Read more from Sandip G in Kolkata)

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