South Africa delivered a ruthless statement of intent, dismantling previously unbeaten New Zealand by seven wickets in a one-sided contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Chasing 176, the Proteas produced one of the most explosive batting displays in T20 World Cup history, reaching their target with a staggering 17 balls remaining. The foundation was laid by Marco Jansen’s devastating four-wicket haul that reduced New Zealand to 58/3 in the powerplay, before Aiden Markram orchestrated a record-breaking chase with an unbeaten 86 off just 44 balls.
South Africa’s fifty came up in merely three overs and their hundred in 7.2 overs, showcasing their dominance as they surged to 83/1 in the powerplay – the third-highest powerplay score in T20 World Cup history.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup, Group D |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Result | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| New Zealand | 175/7 (20 overs) |
| South Africa | 178/3 (17.1 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Marco Jansen |
| Toss | South Africa won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
New Zealand collapsed to 58/3 in the powerplay as Marco Jansen removed all three openers. Tim Seifert (13) fell cutting to the keeper, while Finn Allen’s aggressive 31 off 17 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) ended when he chipped to mid-off.
Rachin Ravindra (13 with 1 four, 1 six) was caught at short third. Mark Chapman (48 off 26 with 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Daryl Mitchell (32 off 24) rebuilt with a crucial 74-run partnership.
Just as they threatened to accelerate, New Zealand lost three wickets for seven runs. Jansen completed his four-for by dismissing Chapman, Keshav Maharaj bowled Glenn Phillips (1), and Lungi Ngidi removed Mitchell. James Neesham’s unbeaten 23 helped New Zealand reach 175/7, appearing 20-25 runs short.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Mark Chapman | 48 runs (26 balls, 6×4, 2×6) |
| Best Bowler | Marco Jansen | 4-0-40-4 |
Second Innings Highlights
South Africa produced a record-breaking powerplay, racing to 83/1 in six overs. Markram struck back-to-back fours off Matt Henry before launching three consecutive sixes off Jacob Duffy in the third over.
South Africa reached 50 in just three overs – the second-fastest team fifty in T20 World Cup history. Quinton de Kock (20 off 14 with 3 fours, 1 six) fell to Lockie Ferguson’s leg-cutter. Ryan Rickelton (21 off 11) and Dewald Brevis (21 off 17 with 1 six) maintained momentum before both fell.
Markram reached his fifty off just 19 balls – the fastest for South Africa in T20 World Cups. David Miller (24* off 17) provided steady support as South Africa cruised home, with Miller fittingly finishing the match with a six off Ferguson.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Aiden Markram | 86* runs (44 balls, 8×4, 4×6) |
| Best Bowler | Lockie Ferguson | 3.1-0-33-1 |
