South Africa arrive at this semifinal riding seven consecutive wins, brimming with confidence and their full-strength XI returning after resting key players against Zimbabwe.
New Zealand, meanwhile, scraped through with a less convincing campaign but entered with nothing to lose and a point to prove.
Eden Gardens offers a dry, true surface with a fast outfield, conditions that favour big scores.
David Miller’s stunning record at this venue could prove decisive, while Lockie Ferguson’s dominance over De Kock adds intrigue at the top. One ticket to the Ahmedabad final is on offer. Two hungry teams will fight hard for it.
SA vs NZ Semi-Final 1 Betting Odds
South Africa comes into this game as the favourites. Their head-to-head record, their balanced squad, and their strong performances in this tournament make them the natural pick for the betting markets. New Zealand still has the firepower to pull off an upset, and its odds reflect that.
| Platform | South Africa Win Odds | New Zealand Win Odds | Toss Odds (RSA) | Toss Odds (NZ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.65 | 2.25 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| Stake | 1.67 | 2.20 | 1.91 | 1.89 |
| 4RABET | 1.64 | 2.28 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| BetVibe | 1.66 | 2.22 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
South Africa’s odds sitting below 1.70 across most platforms show just how much the market trusts them here. New Zealand’s odds around 2.25 suggest they are seen as capable of winning but will need their best performance to do it.
SA vs NZ Semi-Final 1 Match Details
This is the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Both teams have earned their place here, and neither will want to go home.
Here is everything you need to know about the match before the first ball is bowled.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | RSA vs NZ, 1st Semi-Final, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Date | 04/03/2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM LOCAL / 1:30 PM GMT |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
Eden Gardens is one of the biggest and most iconic cricket grounds in the world. The atmosphere there is like no other, and it adds extra pressure on both sides, especially the bowlers in the death overs.
SA vs NZ Semi-Final 1 Squad Lists
Both teams have named their full squads for this semi-final. South Africa brings a good mix of power hitters and quality bowlers, while New Zealand relies on experience and adaptability across all its positions.
South Africa Squad
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith
New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway
Both squads are packed with players who can change a game on their own. It only takes one innings or one spell to completely flip the result in a knockout match like this.
Pitch Report: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Eden Gardens has a surface that usually gives a little to the pacers early on. As the match moves along, it tends to flatten out and become a good batting surface.
The dew factor in the evening can make a big difference in the second innings.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Good pace early, becomes flatter in the second half. Spinners may get some help in the middle overs. |
| Batting Conditions | Batters can score freely once they settle in. The surface rewards positive and attacking play. |
| Bowling Support | Fast bowlers get some help early with the new ball. Spinners become more effective as the surface slows. |
| Ground Dimensions | Capacity of 63,000 with long straight boundaries and slightly shorter square boundaries. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | The average T20I score here is around 160 to 165. Teams love batting first when the pitch is at its best. |
| Toss and Dew Impact | Dew is expected later in the evening. Teams winning the toss may look to bowl first and chase with a wet ball. |
The dew factor could be the key talking point at the toss. Both captains will be watching the sky closely before deciding which way to go.
Weather Report
Kolkata is known for being warm and humid in the evening. The conditions at Eden Gardens for this semi-final are expected to be good for cricket, though the humidity could be a factor for the bowlers.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 30°C, warm but manageable conditions through the evening |
| Weather | Mostly clear skies are expected with no major interruptions forecast |
| Precipitation | Around 10 to 15% chance of rain, very low risk of disruption |
| Humidity | Around 75 to 80%, dew formation is almost certain in the second innings |
| Wind | Light winds of around 10 to 12 km/h, which may assist swing bowlers early |
The forecast is mostly clear and good for a full game of cricket. The high humidity does mean that the team chasing will have an easier time gripping the ball as the match goes on, which gives the toss extra importance here.
South Africa vs New Zealand Head-to-Head in T20Is
New Zealand and South Africa have faced each other in 19 T20 matches. Of these 19 games, New Zealand have won 7, whereas South Africa has won 12.
| Aspect | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 19 |
| South Africa Won | 12 |
| New Zealand Won | 7 |
| No Result | 0 |
South Africa’s record of 12 wins from 19 games shows their dominance in this format against New Zealand. That said, New Zealand has won when it has mattered before, and a semi-final is always a different kind of game with extra pressure on both sides.
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SA vs NZ Semi-Final 1 Key Players to Watch
Both teams have match-winners across every part of the lineup. One big spell or one quick innings from any of these players can shift the entire game in a completely different direction.
Here are the players to keep your eye on during this semi-final.
| Player | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada (RSA) | 82 wickets in 78 matches at an economy rate of 8.39 |
| Quinton de Kock (RSA) | 3,085 runs in 109 matches at an average of 31.16, SR 142.29 |
| Aiden Markram (RSA) | 1,948 runs in 76 matches at an average of 31.93, SR 148.47 |
| Finn Allen (NZ) | 1,554 runs in 60 matches at an average of 27.26, SR 166.38 |
| Lockie Ferguson (NZ) | 71 wickets in 50 matches at an economy rate of 7.31 |
| Rachin Ravindra (NZ) | 745 runs and 23 wickets in 50 matches |
Kagiso Rabada and Lockie Ferguson will be the key pace bowlers to watch in the powerplay and death overs.
Quinton de Kock and Finn Allen at the top of the order could set the tone for their teams if they get going early in the innings.
