The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025/26 1st Semi-Final remains one of the most compelling records of the tournament. On 4 March 2026 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, New Zealand chased down South Africa’s 169 for 8 in just 12.5 overs, winning by nine wickets with 43 balls to spare. Finn Allen’s unbeaten 100 off 33 balls—the fastest century in men’s T20 World Cup history—dominated the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats and delivered a statement performance.
This NZ vs SA contest carried genuine weight. South Africa arrived unbeaten and chasing a second straight final appearance. New Zealand sought a second T20 World Cup final after their 2021 runners-up finish. Fans searching for the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, player details, or full stats found a match defined by early South African setbacks, a late recovery, and then total New Zealand dominance.
Match Context: New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Background
The sides had already met in the group stage at Ahmedabad on 14 February 2026. South Africa chased New Zealand’s 175 for 7 and won by seven wickets. That result left South Africa with a perfect record heading into the knockouts, while New Zealand advanced through the Super Eights.
South Africa had also won their previous five T20 World Cup meetings against New Zealand. The 2026 semi-final therefore offered New Zealand a chance to rewrite that particular chapter of the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team rivalry. Eden Gardens produced a slower surface that rewarded accurate bowling early and aggressive batting once dew arrived.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | New Zealand vs South Africa |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Date | 4 March 2026 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025/26, 1st Semi-Final |
| Toss | New Zealand elected to field first |
| South Africa Score | 169/8 (20 overs) |
| New Zealand Score | 173/1 (12.5 overs, target 170) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 9 wickets (43 balls remaining) |
| Player of the Match | Finn Allen (NZ) – 100* (33) |
New Zealand advanced to the final, where they later lost to India by 96 runs in Ahmedabad.
South Africa Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden Markram (c) | 18 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 90.00 |
| Quinton de Kock † | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Ryan Rickelton | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dewald Brevis | 34 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 125.92 |
| David Miller | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | 29 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 120.83 |
| Marco Jansen | 55* | 30 | 2 | 5 | 183.33 |
| Corbin Bosch | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.66 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 14 | (lb 1, nb 1, w 12) | |||
| Total | 169/8 | 20 overs | RR 8.45 |
Did not bat: Lungi Ngidi
South Africa’s innings never recovered from a powerplay collapse. Cole McConchie removed both left-hand openers in successive balls. Jansen’s unbeaten 55, featuring five sixes, and a useful stand with Stubbs lifted the total to 169, but the early damage proved decisive in the overall New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team stats.
New Zealand Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
McConchie’s single over of 2 for 9 set the tone for the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team bowling performance. Santner and Ravindra applied control through the middle overs, while Henry closed the innings with two late wickets.
New Zealand Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert † | 58 | 33 | 7 | 2 | 175.75 |
| Finn Allen | 100* | 33 | 10 | 8 | 303.03 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 13* | 11 | 2 | 0 | 118.18 |
| Extras | 2 | (lb 2) | |||
| Total | 173/1 | 12.5 overs | RR 13.48 |
Did not bat: Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team batting display was ruthless. Seifert and Allen put on 117 for the first wicket. Allen reached fifty off 19 balls and completed his hundred off 33, finishing the chase with a boundary that also sealed the match.
South Africa Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Only Rabada claimed a wicket. The rest of the attack struggled as Allen and Seifert attacked from the outset, shaping the overall NZ vs SA match stats heavily in New Zealand’s favour.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team – Fall Of Wickets
South Africa Fall of Wickets
| Wicket | Score | Batter Out | Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Quinton de Kock | 1.4 |
| 2 | 12 | Ryan Rickelton | 1.5 |
| 3 | 55 | Aiden Markram | 7.4 |
| 4 | 77 | David Miller | 9.6 |
| 5 | 77 | Dewald Brevis | 10.2 |
| 6 | 150 | Tristan Stubbs | 18.1 |
| 7 | 166 | Corbin Bosch | 19.3 |
| 8 | 166 | Kagiso Rabada | 19.4 |
South Africa finished at 169/8 in 20 overs.
New Zealand Fall of Wickets
| Wicket | Score | Batter Out | Over |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 117 | Tim Seifert | 9.1 |
New Zealand finished at 173/1 in 12.5 overs (target 170).
Match Highlights from the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Encounter
| Match Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Batter | Finn Allen (100* off 33) |
| Best Bowler | Cole McConchie (2/9) / Rachin Ravindra (2/29) |
| Best Partnership | Allen & Seifert – 117 (1st wicket) |
| Key Moment | McConchie’s double-wicket over |
| Turning Point | New Zealand’s 84/0 powerplay |
| Best Bowling Spell | McConchie 1 over, 2/9 |
| Best Batting Performance | Allen’s 33-ball century |
| Final Result | NZ won by 9 wickets |
Early South African Collapse
McConchie dismissed de Kock and Rickelton in consecutive deliveries in the second over. South Africa were 12 for 2 and never regained full control.
Jansen’s Counter-Attack
Jansen’s unbeaten 55 off 30 balls, including five sixes, and a 73-run stand with Stubbs provided South Africa’s only substantial resistance and lifted them to 169.
New Zealand’s Powerplay Domination
Seifert and Allen scored 84 without loss in the first six overs—the highest powerplay total in a T20 World Cup knockout match at that point.
Allen’s Record Century
Allen’s 100 off 33 balls (10 fours, 8 sixes) broke Chris Gayle’s previous T20 World Cup record of 47 balls and became the first hundred scored in a men’s T20 World Cup knockout match.
Turning Points in the NZ vs SA Semi-Final
- McConchie’s 2 for 9 in the second over removed both South African openers and disrupted their plans immediately.
- Ravindra’s wickets of Markram and Miller left South Africa 77 for 5 and shifted pressure onto the lower order.
- New Zealand’s 84 for 0 powerplay effectively ended the contest as a competitive chase.
- Allen’s rapid acceleration after fifty left South Africa without any effective bowling response.
Top Players
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Allen | NZ | Opening batter | 100* (33) |
| Tim Seifert | NZ | Opening batter/WK | 58 (33) |
| Marco Jansen | SA | All-rounder | 55* (30) & 0/53 |
| Cole McConchie | NZ | All-rounder | 2/9 (1 over) |
| Rachin Ravindra | NZ | All-rounder | 2/29 & 13* |
| Matt Henry | NZ | Bowler | 2/34 |
Finn Allen – Match-Winning Knock
Allen’s 33-ball hundred defined the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard. He cleared the boundary repeatedly and finished the game in style.
Tim Seifert – Key Partnership
Seifert’s 58 provided the early platform that allowed Allen complete freedom.
Marco Jansen – Impact Performance
Jansen’s unbeaten 55 was South Africa’s highest score and gave them a defendable total on paper.
Cole McConchie – Brilliant Bowling Spell
One over and two wickets completely altered the early course of the match.
Tournament Overview and Implications
New Zealand’s win booked a final against India in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026. India posted 255 for 5 and bowled New Zealand out for 159, winning by 96 runs to claim a record third T20 World Cup title.
South Africa’s unbeaten run ended in the semi-final, continuing a pattern of strong group and Super Eights form followed by knockout disappointment.
Head-to-Head Record: New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team
In T20 World Cups before this match, South Africa had won all five previous meetings. This semi-final marked New Zealand’s first victory over South Africa in the tournament’s history.
Overall T20I head-to-head figures (through later 2026 encounters) show South Africa holding a lead of roughly 15 wins to New Zealand’s 10 across approximately 25 matches. South Africa have generally held the edge in bilateral T20I series as well.
| Format | Matches Played | New Zealand Won | South Africa Won | Drawn / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 49 | 7 | 26 | 16 |
| ODIs | 74 | 27 | 42 | 5 (No Result) |
| T20Is | 25 | 10 | 15 | 0 |
Why New Zealand Won the NZ vs SA Semi-Final
- Superior powerplay bowling that removed both South African openers cheaply.
- Controlled middle-overs bowling from Santner and Ravindra.
- An opening partnership of 117 that settled the contest early.
- Finn Allen’s extraordinary strike rate and boundary-hitting.
- Better adaptation to the slower pitch and the arrival of dew.
Importance of the Match
For New Zealand, the result delivered a second T20 World Cup final appearance and ended a long tournament jinx against South Africa. It also elevated Allen’s status as a global T20 force.
For South Africa, the defeat ended an unbeaten campaign and raised familiar questions about converting strong form into knockout success.
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from Eden Gardens continues to stand as a showcase of clinical T20 cricket at the highest level.
Conclusion
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the 1st Semi-Final on 4 March 2026 records a dominant New Zealand victory. Allen’s record 33-ball century, supported by Seifert’s 58 and early breakthroughs from McConchie and Ravindra, turned a competitive target into a formality.
New Zealand advanced to the final but fell short against India. The semi-final performance, however, remains one of the most complete displays of the tournament. Fans reviewing the NZ vs SA scorecard, player contributions, and full match stats will continue to highlight Allen’s historic innings as the defining memory of the night.
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FAQs
1. Where can I check the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard?
The full official scorecard is available on ESPNcricinfo under the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025/26 series page for the 1st Semi-Final.
2.Who was the top scorer in the NZ vs SA match?
Finn Allen scored an unbeaten 100 off 33 balls for New Zealand.
3. Who took the most wickets in the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team encounter?
Cole McConchie (2/9), Rachin Ravindra (2/29) and Matt Henry (2/34) each took two wickets.
4. What was the final result?
New Zealand won by 9 wickets with 43 balls remaining.
5. Where was the match played?
Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 4 March 2026.
6.Who was Player of the Match?
Finn Allen for his unbeaten 100 off 33 balls.