SA vs NZ Prediction, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 1, Match Winner, Team, Playing XI, and Pitch Report

South Africa will cross swords with New Zealand in the first Semi-Final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, March 4.

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South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, bagged three consecutive wins against India, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe in the Super8 round to make it to the semi-final. 

On the other hand, the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand started the Super8 round with a no-result affair against Pakistan. Later, they secured a 61-run win over Sri Lanka and suffered a four-wicket defeat to England in their third clash of the Super8 round. 

SA vs NZ, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 1, Details

Match: South Africa vs New Zealand, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 1

Time & Date: 7:00 PM IST, Wednesday, March 4

Venue: Edean Gardens, Kolkata

SA vs NZ, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 1 Pitch Report

The six games played here in the ongoing season saw the average first innings score of 183. It’s a good batting wicket as seen in the previous encounters. It’s wise to bowl first after winning the toss, considering the dew factor. Any score above 200 is a tough ask for the chasing side.

SA vs NZ, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 1 Probable XIs

South Africa

Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi

New Zealand

Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson

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SA vs NZ, ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 1 Winner Prediction

Match Winner: South Africa

Both teams played against each other 19 times in the T20I format. While South Africa won 12 times, New Zealand could secure only seven victories. With South Africa boasting a heavy batting and bowling line-up, we can expect them to continue their winning momentum, advancing to the finals.

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