There is something almost poetic about the way South Africa and New Zealand orbit World Cup semifinals. Year after year, format after format, they head into the penultimate stage with belief, but more often than not, that is where the journey ends. Now as the 2026 edition of the Men's T20 World Cup reaches its semi-finals, the script is the same. Only one of these two sides can make it to the final. Both teams will meet in the first semi-final on Sunday at Eden Garden in Kolkata. 

Despite five previous T20 meetings, including a group-stage encounter earlier this season in Ahmedabad, South Africa and New Zealand have never faced each other in a T20 World Cup knockout match, making it their first meeting in knockouts. South Africa enter this semifinal unbeaten, carrying both momentum and form. Their campaign has been all about playing decisively. 

Most notably, they dismantled New Zealand earlier in the tournament, which will give a psychological edge to them. Playing all their matches in India has also worked to their advantage. Still, South Africa’s relationship with World Cup semifinals is complicated. For all their talent across eras, the final step has often proved elusive. However, this time they would hope to go all the way. 

Talking about New Zealand, their route to the semifinals has been quite bumpy. In the group phase, they had wins over Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE, but a washout against Pakistan and a defeat to England left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Their place in the final four was sealed with a commanding victory over Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, unlike South Africa, New Zealand have had to adjust repeatedly. Group matches in India demanded one approach; the Super Eight phase in Sri Lanka required another. That constant shifting has been a huge test for them. Nonetheless, it will be handy for them as they begin their hunt for the elusive title.

Head-to-head

Matches - 19

SA won - 12

NZ won - 7

New Zealand possible XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

South Africa possible XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi