Markram masterclass powers South Africa into 2026 ICC T20 World Cup semi-finals

Proteas maintain unbeaten record in 2026 T20 World Cup 

South Africa confirmed our 2026 T20 World Cup predictions by securing a statement nine-wicket victory over the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, which guaranteed their spot in the semi-final of the competition. 

With that victory, the Proteas are now the only team left in the global tournament with a perfect record. They also have a solid net run rate of +2.890 - the second best in the Super 8s, only behind New Zealand, whose first match in this stage was abandoned due to rain. 

After winning the toss and electing to field, South Africa conceded 29 runs in the first 14 balls of the first innings before Kagiso Rabada picked up the wicket of Shai Hope in the third over, three deliveries before he also claimed the scalp of the ultra dangerous Shimron Hetmyer. 

From there, the Windies suffered a middle-order collapse, with Rovman Powell, Roston Chase and Sherfane Rutherford falling in quick succession, leaving the team on 71/6 in the ninth over and staring down the barrel of a massive defeat. 

However, Jason Holder proved his all-round ability, and together with Romario Shepherd, put on a stunning 89-run partnership that got the two-time champions to a defendable total of 176/8. Shepherd blasted 52 off 37, while Holder finished on 49 from 31 deliveries. 

Unfortunately for the Windies, Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock stepped in with a clear gameplan to unsettle their opening bowlers with aggression, and they delivered emphatically, scoring 95 runs in the first eight overs before the latter was dismissed for 47 (24). 

Markram, though, looked in tremendous form and went on to score 82 runs from just 46 deliveries, including seven 4s and four 6s, at a strike rate of 178.26. Ryan Rickleton smashed a quick-fire 45 (28), as South Africa cantered to victory with nine wickets and 23 balls to spare. 

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South African bowlers shining at T20 World Cup 

While batsmen often receive the bulk of the praise in global tournaments, particularly in the shortest form of the game, there is a case to be made that South Africa’s bowlers have made the most impact for the team in this competition. 

Indeed, Markram’s innings got the Proteas to victory, but it was their bowling unit that set it up for the skipper, and Lungi Ngidi was the shining star in that regard, taking 3/30 in his four overs. Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch also played their part, bagging two wickets apiece for 22 and 31 runs, respectively. 

Against India in their opening match of the Super 8s, it was Marco Jansen (4/22) and Keshav Maharaj (3/24) that did the damage, while Corbin Bosch also chipped in with a miserly 2/12 in just three overs. South Africa bowled out the Men in Blue for just 111 runs in 18.5 overs. 

After the victory against the West Indies, South Africa now have three bowlers ranked inside the top 10 wicket-takers in the tournament. To put that feat into perspective, no other team has more than one bowler currently in the top 10. 

2026 T20 World Cup leading wicket takers

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