South Africa national cricket team became the first team to secure a Super 8 spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the New Zealand national cricket team.
In the Group D match held Saturday at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in India, South Africa chased down New Zealand’s 176-run target in 17.1 overs, losing only three wickets.
South African captain and opener Aiden Markram starred with an unbeaten 86. His captain’s knock came off 44 balls and included eight fours and four sixes. Markram shared a 62-run opening stand in 4.4 overs with Quinton de Kock to give his team a flying start.
Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis scored 21 runs each, while David Miller added 24 off 17 balls with a four and a six.
For New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham and Rachin Ravindra took one wicket each.
Earlier, New Zealand, batting first after losing the toss, posted 175/7 in 20 overs. Mark Chapman top-scored with 48 off 26 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Daryl Mitchell made 32, Finn Allen 31, and Neesham 23, while Tim Seifert and Ravindra added 13 each.
South Africa had previously beaten Canada by 57 runs and Afghanistan in a Super Over. With this loss, New Zealand must now wait for their final match to confirm a Super 8 place, despite earlier wins over Afghanistan and the UAE.
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