The West Indies begin their tour of South Africa with the opening T20 International at Boland Park in Paarl today. This three-match series serves as crucial preparation for both sides ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The Proteas, under Aiden Markram’s captaincy, are reshaping their T20 setup following injuries that forced the withdrawals of two players from their World Cup squad. Meanwhile, the Windies arrive under Brandon King’s leadership, seeking improved batting form after their recent series defeat.
Betting Odds: South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I
The home advantage and squad depth give South Africa the edge with bookmakers for the series opener.
| Platform | SA Win Odds | WI Win Odds | Toss Odds (SA) | Toss Odds (WI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.8 | 2.05 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Stake | 1.82 | 2.07 | 1.85 | 1.85 |
| 4RABET | 1.83 | 2.09 | 1.87 | 1.87 |
| BetVibe | 1.85 | 2.1 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
Match Information: SA vs WI 1st T20I
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | SA vs WI, 1st T20I |
| Series | West Indies Tour of South Africa, 2026 |
| Date | Tuesday, 27th January |
| Time | 6:00 PM Local / 9:00 PM IST / 4:00 PM GMT |
| Venue | Boland Park, Paarl |
Squad Lists: South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I
Aiden Markram takes charge of the South African XI, whilst Shai Hope will captain the touring West Indies side.
South Africa Squad
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Eathan Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
West Indies Squad
Shai Hope (c & wk), Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph
Boland Park Pitch Report & Conditions
This picturesque venue in Paarl typically produces contests where both departments can flourish.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Features a grassy surface providing good carry and bounce. Spin-friendly early on, with the surface tending to slow as the match unfolds. |
| Batting Assistance | Strokeplay flows once set, with compact boundaries encouraging aggressive cricket. However, batsmen must exercise caution against spin. |
| Bowling Assistance | Pace bowlers thrive in the powerplay overs, whilst spinners typically gain purchase and turn throughout the innings. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | First innings average stands at 257 runs. The lowest successfully defended total is 116. |
| Toss Impact & Dew | Captains generally opt to bat first as conditions become increasingly challenging for batting later on. |
Weather Forecast
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Approximately 29°C, potentially causing player fatigue during afternoon sessions |
| Conditions | Predominantly sunny throughout the fixture |
| Precipitation | No rain anticipated |
| Humidity | Expected at 48% |
| Wind | Speeds reaching 19 km/h |
Historical Record: South Africa vs West Indies In T20Is
The Caribbean side holds a narrow advantage in the overall T20I head-to-head between these nations.
| Total Matches Played | 26 |
| West Indies Won | 14 |
| South Africa Won | 12 |
| No Result | 0 |
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Key Players To Watch
These individuals could prove decisive in determining which side takes the opening-match advantage.
| Players | T20I Statistics |
|---|---|
| Keshav Maharaj (SA) | 38 wickets from 40 matches at 7.41 economy rate |
| Dewald Brevis (SA) | 469 runs across 19 fixtures, averaging 27.58 |
| Kagiso Rabada (SA) | 77 wickets in 70 appearances at 8.42 economy |
| Rovman Powell (WI) | 2,068 runs from 107 matches, averaging 25.85 |
| Sherfane Rutherford (WI) | 588 runs in 44 matches, striking at 137.38 |
| Akeal Hosein (WI) | 293 runs and 83 wickets across 87 fixtures |
