New Zealand vs South Africa Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen Anchor SA's 7-Wicket Win

More action on Sunday - That wraps up the first week of action in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and it delivered plenty of entertainment. Another triple-header awaits us on Sunday, 15th February. First up, Nepal and the West Indies face off in Mumbai, before the action moves south to Chennai, where Namibia take on the USA. The day will conclude with India and Pakistan locking horns in Colombo. The first game of the day will begin at 5.30 am GMT. As always, join us early for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Saturday Round-up - We began the day in Colombo, where Ireland brushed aside Oman to open their account in this World Cup. Then it was time for the European rivals to clash in Kolkata. England endured a nervy start to the chase but overcame it to return to winning ways. The action concluded in Ahmedabad, with South Africa producing a dominant display against the Kiwis to make it 3 in 3.

The skipper of South Africa - Aiden Markram mentions that it is important to acknowledge that they won the toss. Reflects that the ball came nicely onto the bat later in the second innings. Credits the effort of the bowlers for restricting New Zealand to a middling total and praises their consistency throughout. Speaking about New Zealand’s opening pair, he calls them dangerous and intimidating, but credits his bowlers for sticking to their plans. On Marco Jansen, he describes him as a unique left-arm option who brings a special edge with his height and variety. Adds that although he has been bowling well, the numbers hadn’t reflected it until now. On his own knock, he says it was pleasing, but the main aim was to give the team a solid start. He highlights the depth and experience in the batting lineup, with plenty of power to manage across different phases. Adds that teams are increasingly taking on the attack in the Powerplay, and while it won’t always come off, it can put them ahead of the game when it does.

The captain of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner praises South Africa for the way they played. He admits the wickets in the Powerplay were key, and the way South Africa put them under pressure early made a big difference. He feels Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell did well to bring them back into the contest, but in the end, the total was probably a little below par. Shares that the wicket was a bit sticky, and a better Powerplay with the ball could have made things tighter. Santner adds that in this World Cup, you have to keep adapting all the way through. Adds that communication is crucial among both batters and bowlers, and they need to do better in terms of getting in and out of overs.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

First innings recap - Earlier, after the toss fell South Africa's way, Marco Jansen dented the Kiwis early before Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman combined to keep the scoreboard ticking without letting the tempo dip. The pair added 74 runs from 44 balls, but both fell in quick succession. That meant New Zealand couldn't maximise the back end of the innings as they would have liked and had to settle for 175.

Powerplay blitz sets it all up - The chase was effectively decided in the Powerplay itself. New Zealand's quicks were uncharacteristically ill-disciplined, and the two openers made them pay, especially Aiden Markram, as the Proteas raced to 83 in the first six overs. The contest was virtually won there and then, with Markram holding firm to shut the door on any potential comeback. Along the way, Markram brought up a 19-ball fifty, the fastest by a South African in T20 World Cups, eclipsing the previous best of 21 balls set by Quinton de Kock against England during the 2016 edition.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Marco Jansen wins the award for his stellar effort with the ball. He returned career-best figures of 4/40 from his 4 overs. Jansen says they knew it was a good wicket and credits the opening batters for batting with positive intent. Also says that the New Zealand openers started off nicely, so they had to strike upfront. On being asked about what worked in his favour while bowling, he details that the slower ones into the wicket worked well, along with the yorkers. Says they needed to adapt to the conditions and states that they did pretty well. Adds that bowling in the Powerplay and death is not that easy and says it is all about adapting and making the most out of it. Says that their bowlers did pretty well, singling out Keshav Maharaj, who controlled the middle overs. Adds that their seamers complement each other pretty well. He says the team executed their plans very well and benefited from the experience of players who feature in the IPL. He concludes by saying the focus is on taking each game as it comes, assessing the opposition, and building from there.

The Proteas Fire Burns Bright - South Africa complete a clinical chase. They keep their perfect record intact against the Kiwis in T20 World Cups, winning the 5th straight meeting between the two sides. A worrying outing with the ball for New Zealand, where they failed to pose any real threat. Yes, the dew played a role, but the discipline you generally expect from them was absent.

SIX! A statement finish by David Miller. The Proteas make it three wins in three matches and remain glued to the top spot with 6 points. A juicy half tracker by Lockie, on top of off. David Miller gets on top of the bounce and authoritatively sends it sailing behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six to seal the deal for his team. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 7 WICKETS AND 17 BALLS TO SPARE!

Slower one banged into the pitch on off. Miller swats it away to deep mid-wicket and jogs through for a single, but he and Henry nearly collide at the bowler’s end as the throw comes in. A brief mix-up and plenty of smiles after.

Good length on the stumps. Markram clips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Short and slow on the bodyline, David Miller waits on it and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Another overthrow from Santner, and he’s left scratching his head! Full on off, Markram drills it to mid off. Miller sets off but is sent back, and with the Kiwi skipper missing the direct hit, they sneak through for a run.

Back of a length outside the off stump. Miller stands tall looks to punch it on the off side, but gets a thick outside edge that rolls to the left of short third for a single.

Sloppy, very sloppy! A leg cutter, on a length, on middle. Aiden Markram plays with soft hands and eases it to mid on for a single. Mitchell Santner scoots to his right from mid off and intercepts the ball. He then releases the throw to the keeper's end, where Miller sways away from the firing line, and Seifert is blindsided by David standing in front. He is late to react and the ball gets past him. It beats short fine leg to his left and races away to the fence.

Much fuller, on the pads, Aiden Markram chips it on the bounce to the long on fielder for one more. South Africa need 14 more runs.

Short and slow, around off, David Miller swats it down to long on for a single.

WIDE! Far outside off, on a fuller length, David lets it be as it breaches the guideline.

FOUR! Precise placement! Duffy lands a slower one halfway into the pitch, on top of off. David Miller pauses for the ball to arrive and then powers it with a pull shot to deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.