Match Overview
The new zealand national cricket team vs south africa national cricket team match scorecard from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 1st Semi-Final delivered one of the most dominant performances in knockout cricket history. Played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 4, 2026, this high-stakes encounter saw New Zealand dismantle South Africa’s unbeaten tournament run with breathtaking authority
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that paid immediate dividends. South Africa, despite a fighting 55* from Marco Jansen, could only post 169/8 in their 20 overs. In reply, New Zealand’s opening duo of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert launched a blistering assault, racing to 117 runs in the powerplay alone. Allen’s historic 100* off just 33 balls—the fastest century in T20 World Cup history—powered New Zealand to 173/1 in just 12.5 overs, securing a comprehensive 9-wicket victory with 43 balls to spare
Finn Allen was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-defining innings
South Africa Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram (c) | c Mitchell b Ravindra | 18 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 90.00 |
| Quinton de Kock (wk) | c Ferguson b McConchie | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Ryan Rickelton | c Allen b McConchie | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dewald Brevis | c Santner b Neesham | 34 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 125.92 |
| David Miller | c Mitchell b Ravindra | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | b Ferguson | 29 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 120.83 |
| Marco Jansen | not out | 55 | 30 | 2 | 5 | 183.33 |
| Corbin Bosch | b Henry | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Kagiso Rabada | c Neesham b Henry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Keshav Maharaj | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 14 | |||||
| Total | 169/8 | 20.0 |
South Africa Bowling Figures
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Jansen | 2.5 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 18.70 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 3 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 9.33 |
| Lungi Ngidi | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Corbin Bosch | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 17.50 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 |
New Zealand Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert (wk) | b Rabada | 58 | 33 | 7 | 2 | 175.75 |
| Finn Allen | not out | 100 | 33 | 10 | 8 | 303.03 |
| Rachin Ravindra | not out | 13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 118.18 |
| Extras | 2 | |||||
| Total | 173/1 | 12.5 |
New Zealand Bowling Figures
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 8.50 |
| Cole McConchie | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 9.00 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 7.25 |
| James Neesham | 3 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 14.00 |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 6.25 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 4 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 |
Key Highlights & Match Analysis
The new zealand national cricket team vs south africa national cricket team match scorecard tells the story of a masterclass in T20 cricket. Finn Allen’s innings will be remembered as one of the greatest knockout performances ever. Facing a South African attack that had been virtually unstoppable throughout the tournament, Allen displayed brutal power and exceptional timing. His 100* came off just 33 balls, featuring 10 fours and 8 sixes, and included the fastest century in T20 World Cup history
Tim Seifert provided the perfect support act with a blistering 58 off 33 balls. The opening partnership of 117 runs in just 9.1 overs effectively ended the contest before most fans had settled into their seats. South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Marco Jansen (2.5-0-53-0) and Corbin Bosch (2-0-35-0), struggled to find any rhythm or containment on a batting-friendly Eden Gardens surface.
With the ball, New Zealand’s discipline was exemplary. Rachin Ravindra’s two crucial wickets (Markram and Miller) in the middle overs broke South Africa’s momentum, while Cole McConchie’s explosive first over (2 wickets for 9 runs) set the tone early. Matt Henry’s late burst (2/34) ensured South Africa couldn’t accelerate beyond 170.
The turning point came in the 9th over of New Zealand’s chase when Kagiso Rabada finally broke the 117-run opening stand by bowling Tim Seifert. However, by then, the damage was irreversible. Allen, now set, accelerated even further, reaching his century with a boundary down the ground off Marco Jansen—a moment that sent the New Zealand camp into raptures.
Records tumbled throughout the innings: Allen’s 33-ball hundred is the fastest in T20 World Cup history, surpassing Chris Gayle’s previous record of 47 balls. He also recorded the most sixes (8) by a New Zealander in a T20 World Cup innings and the highest boundary count (18) in a single T20 World Cup innings, jointly with Brendon McCullum
Head-to-Head Record (T20 World Cup)
| Format | Matches | NZ Wins | SA Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 World Cup | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Overall T20Is | 20 | 8 | 12 | 0 |
FAQ Section
Q: Who won the New Zealand vs South Africa T20 World Cup semi-final 2026? A: New Zealand won by 9 wickets with 43 balls remaining, chasing down South Africa’s 169/8 with ease at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Q: Who was Player of the Match in NZ vs SA semi-final? A: Finn Allen was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 100 off 33 balls—the fastest century in T20 World Cup history.
Q: What was the match result and margin? A: New Zealand defeated South Africa by 9 wickets, reaching 173/1 in just 12.5 overs while chasing a target of 170 runs.
Q: When and where was the match played? A: The match was played on March 4, 2026, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, as the 1st Semi-Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Q: What is the current series score between NZ and SA? A: This was a knockout match in the T20 World Cup 2026. New Zealand advanced to the final, while South Africa’s tournament ended. In overall T20Is, South Africa leads the head-to-head 12-8
Conclusion
The new zealand national cricket team vs south africa national cricket team match scorecard from this T20 World Cup semi-final will be remembered as a landmark victory for New Zealand cricket. Finn Allen’s historic century, supported by Tim Seifert’s explosive 58, dismantled South Africa’s unbeaten run in the tournament and booked New Zealand’s ticket to the final in Ahmedabad. With their bowling unit delivering disciplined performances and their batting lineup firing on all cylinders, the Black Caps head into the final as genuine title contenders. Their next match—the T20 World Cup 2026 Final—is scheduled for March 8, 2026, at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, where they will face either India or England for cricket’s ultimate prize.