New Zealand national cricket team captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa national cricket team in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. New Zealand made key changes to their lineup for the knockout clash. Fast bowler Matt Henry returned to the side, while all-rounder James Neesham was also included in the playing XI. South Africa made three changes for the semi-final, bringing back Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.
Santner said the decision to bowl first was influenced by the conditions at the venue and his team’s confidence in chasing under lights. South Africa captain Aiden Markram said his side would have been comfortable batting first in the high-stakes contest and backed his team to post a competitive total.
South Africa have been the standout team in the tournament so far. Markram’s side reached the knockout stage from Group 1 after winning all seven of their matches. The Proteas maintained their unbeaten run in the Super 8 stage, registering convincing victories over India, the West Indies and Zimbabwe to finish at the top of the standings.
New Zealand, meanwhile, qualified for the semi-finals from Group 2 after a mixed campaign in the Super 8 stage. The Black Caps’ opening Super 8 match against Pakistan was abandoned due to rain. They then defeated Sri Lanka before losing their final Super 8 fixture against England. Despite the defeat, Santner’s team progressed to the knockout stage with three points and a superior net run rate compared with Pakistan.
The winner of the match will advance to the final of the T20 World Cup 2026.
South Africa vs New Zealand Playing XIs
New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi