Overview:
As per ESPNcricinfo, on South African soil, the two sides have clashed 10 times. Both sides have won 5 games each.
The South African men’s cricket team is set to take on West Indies in the 2nd T20I on Thursday, January 29. The match will be held at the SuperSport Park, Centurion.
The Proteas won the first T20I by 9 wickets at Boland Park, Paarl. The Windies got to 173/7 in 20 overs before an Aiden Markram special handed South Africa a victory. A win for South Africa in Centurion will see them win the series with a game to spare.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, this will be a vital series for both sides as they aim to tick the right boxes.
What is the Context of the SA vs WI match?
South Africa rested SA20 winners Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje, Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi was also rested for the clash. It’s likely the set of players could make a return for this clash. However, Stubbs could miss out in favour of Jason Smith.
For the Windies, skipper Shai Hope missed the first match with a niggle and there was no space for pacer Shamar Joseph. They could make the cut if available.
South Africa and West Indies have faced each other 27 times in T20I cricket. The Proteas have claimed 13 wins with West Indies managing 14 wins.
As per ESPNcricinfo, on South African soil, the two sides have clashed 10 times. Both sides have won 5 games each.
The 2nd T20I between the two teams will start at 9:30 pm IST on January 29 in Centurion.
South Africa – Probable Playing XI
Aiden Markram (c): The star batter scored an unbeaten 86 in the 1st T20I and helped South Africa win by nine scalps.
Quinton de Kock: The southpaw was the top scorer in SA20 2025-26. In 12 matches, he managed 390 runs with the help of 4 fifties.
Ryan Rickelton (wk): He was added to the T20 World Cup squad with an injury to Tony de Zorzi. He enjoyed a solid SA20 season, hitting two tons and striking at 156.01.
Dewald Brevis: He brings the x-factor in this middle order. An aggressive batter, Brevis smashed 370 runs in SA20 2025-26. He smashed a ton and two fifties.
Jason Smith: He will feature ahead of Stubbs. He had a poor SA20 season, scoring just 99 runs. Meanwhile, Smith has batted in one T20I inning and owns 37 runs.
Corbin Bosch: The all-rounder will be a key player. He did a decent job in the 1st T20I, taking 2/35 from 4 overs.
Marco Jansen: He picked 13 scalps from 12 matches in SA20 2025-26, helping Sunrise’s Eastern Cape win the title.
George Linde: In 10 SA20 matches this season, he took 8 scalps. The left-arm spinner owns 31 T20I scalps and 286 runs with the bat.
Kagiso Rabada: The fast bowler went wicketless in the 1st T20I versus WI, recording 0/35 from his 4 overs.
Anrich Nortje: The fast bowler will want to showcase his credentials on a pacy surface. A fit Nortje can aid the Proteas unit.
Lungi Ngidi: In 12 SA20 games this season, he has picked 8 wickets. Overall he has 207 scalps in T20s, including 77 for SA in T20Is.
Player to watch out for (Aiden Markram): The senior batter has been in top form of late and owns three successive 50-plus scores in T20s.
West Indies – Probable Playing XI
Brandon King : The star West Indies opener managed a 16-ball 27 in the 1st T20I. Overall, he has 1832 runs in T20Is at 26.17.
Johnson Charles : He will aim to complement King upfront. The 1st T20I saw him score a 9-ball 13. He owns 1525 runs in T20Is.
Shai Hope (c & wk): The WI skipper will want to showcase his credentials and carry the side. He owns 1403 runs in T20Is.
Roston Chase: The WI all-rounder managed an 18-ball 22 in the 1st encounter. With the ball, he took 1/31 from 4 overs.
Sherfane Rutherford: He is a top performer and will be keen to score quick runs. He struggled in the 1st clash, scoring six off six balls.
Shimron Hetmyer: He was his side’s top run-scorer in the 1st clash with a 32-ball 48. He smashed four fours and three sixes.
Rovman Powell: The all-rounder will aim to finish strongly. He hit a 25-ball 29* in the 1st T20I.
Jason Holder: A massive all-rounder, Holder is a key figure. He faltered in the 1st clash and will be keen to make a comeback.
Akeal Hosein: The spinner proved to be costly in the 1st T20I, recording 0/31 from three overs.
Shamar Joseph: The pacer is likely to get an outing. Joseph owns 16 scalps from 14 T20Is.
Jayden Seales: The pacer went wicketless in the 1st T20I, conceding 29 runs from three overs.
Player to watch out for (Shai Hope): He is a topplayer and the Windies will count on his attributes.
Top Batters for Dream11
In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Aiden Markram, Shai Hope and Quinton de Kock can be wise picks alongside Brandon King and Dewald Brevis.
Ryan Rickelton can be a differential pick. He promises stability and able partnerships.
Best All-Rounders to Boost Points
In terms of all-rounders, one can go with two sound options in the form of Corbin Bosch and WI powerhouse Roston Chase.
Bowlers to Watch in Dream11
With the surface expected to help pacers, the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Shamar Joseph and Marco Jansen make the cut.
Captain and Vice-captain picks
Markram can be an ideal captaincy option with Hope being the vice-captain pick.
One can mix it with Rickelton being picked as captain and having Chase as the vice-captain.
Pitch Report & Venue Conditions
The match in Centurion can be a high-scoring game. In five SA20 matches this season, there were three instances of first-innings scores in excess of 175 and two of those were won by the team batting first. Pacers can expect good bounce on this surface. Moisture could aid swing bowlers given there is a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon which will get clear by evening.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?
All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will help pace with swing assisting fast bowlers. Both teams are expected to go in with heavy pace options. With the series to be decided, one can expect a cracking contest.
FAQs About SA and WI Playing 11
Who are the key players in the SA and WI clash?
For the Proteas unit, Aiden Markram will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record of late. For WI, Shai Hope can be ominous for South Africa. He is a quality run-scorer.