New Zealand produced one of the most dominant performances in T20 World Cup knockout history to crush South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
Chasing 170, the Black Caps stormed to 173/1 in just 12.5 overs, sealing victory with 43 balls to spare.
T20 World Cup: #FinnAllen hits an unbeaten 33-ball century as New Zealand beat #SouthAfrica by nine wickets in the semi-final at #EdenGardens in #Kolkata and enter the final to be played in Ahmedabad on Sunday. It’s also the fastest century in the history of Men’s T20 World… pic.twitter.com/1D62ONv3zi
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) March 4, 2026
Earlier, after being put in to bat by Mitchell Santner, South Africa endured a nightmare start. Cole McConchie struck twice in the second over, removing Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in consecutive deliveries to leave the Proteas at 12/2. The collapse deepened as Rachin Ravindra dismissed Aiden Markram and David Miller, reducing South Africa to 77/5 and firmly putting New Zealand in control.
Just when the innings appeared to be unravelling, Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs mounted a counterattack. The pair added a crucial 73 runs for the sixth wicket to steady the ship. Stubbs made a composed 29 off 24 balls before falling to Lockie Ferguson, while Jansen carried the momentum through to the end.
Jansen smashed an unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, his highest T20I score, striking two fours and five sixes, including back-to-back maximums in the 19th over. However, Matt Henry ensured the late surge was contained, dismissing Corbin Bosch and Kagiso Rabada in successive deliveries in the final over as South Africa finished on 169/8.
If the first innings promised a contest, New Zealand’s reply erased any doubt within the powerplay. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert launched a breathtaking assault, racing to 84/0 in the first six overs – the highest powerplay total in a T20 World Cup knockout match. The opening pair put on a match-defining 117 runs in just 9.1 overs, effectively ending the semi-final before the halfway stage of the chase.
Allen delivered a knock for the ages, hammering an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls at a staggering strike rate above 300. His innings included 10 fours and eight sixes, and he fittingly brought up his century on the final ball of the match to seal victory. The explosive opener was named Player of the Match for his extraordinary effort.
A record-breaking knock from Finn Allen took New Zealand into the #T20WorldCup final
He wins the @aramco POTM
: https://t.co/nv2bu4uGh7 pic.twitter.com/SnTAU9mWX4
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2026
Seifert provided the perfect foil with a fluent 58 off 33 deliveries, reaching his half-century in 28 balls before being bowled by Kagiso Rabada. Rachin Ravindra then joined Allen to guide the team home comfortably, as South Africa’s bowlers had no answers to the relentless attack.
What began as a competitive semi-final turned into a statement performance from New Zealand, who now march into the final brimming with confidence after dismantling one of the tournament’s most consistent sides.
South Africa vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-final: Playing XIs
New Zealand:
Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.
Change: One alteration for the Black Caps as Neesham replaces leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, adding extra batting depth and seam options.
South Africa:
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
Changes: Three key returns for the Proteas as Rabada, Jansen and Maharaj slot back into the XI, strengthening both pace and spin departments.