Overview:
New Zealand are in excellent form, having performed strongly in their recent matches. South Africa will put up a tough fight, but New Zealand’s overall team balance gives them the edge.
New Zealand will take on South Africa in the 24th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The match will begin at 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 14.
New Zealand have been dominant in their T20 World Cup campaign so far. They register a dominating win over Afghanistan in Chennai and then dispatched the UAE with ease in a high-pressure run chase. A victory in their upcoming match will ensure their progression to the Super Eights with a game to spare.
South Africa are still riding high after their dramatic double super-over victory against Afghanistan at the same venue. While they will be looking to secure the points in the upcoming match at Motera, the Proteas will want to ensure they do so without the game getting close.
NZ vs SA Match Details
| Fixture | SA vs NZ : 24th Match, T20World Cup 2026 |
| Date | February 14th, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Toss time | 6:30 PM IST |
| Ground | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
NZ vs SA head-to-head records in T20I
| Matches Played | NZ | SA |
| 18 | 7 | 11 |
Pitch Report
In the ten T20Is held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the team chasing has had the upper hand, winning seven times compared to just three victories for the team batting first. The pitch typically becomes more batter-friendly in the second innings, with the ball skidding through nicely. Expect another run-fest on Saturday, as high scores are often the norm here.
NZ vs SA Probable Best Performers
Key batter to watch out for: Tim Seifert
Tim Seifert was the standout performer in New Zealand’s emphatic run chase against the UAE. His unbeaten partnership with Finn Allen ensured the Black Caps clinched their second victory of the tournament. Heading into the Motera fixture, Seifert will look to continue his excellent form with the bat.
Key bowler to watch out for: Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada didn’t have the best outing against Afghanistan, but his ability to bounce back makes him a dangerous pacer. With IPL experience in Ahmedabad with the Gujarat Titans, Rabada will be looking to take wickets and prove his worth in the upcoming match.
NZ vs SA Match Prediction ICC T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand are in excellent form, having performed strongly in their recent matches. South Africa will put up a tough fight, but New Zealand’s overall team balance gives them the edge. It’s expected to be a tight contest, but the Kiwis are likely to come out on top.
NZ vs SA Probable XIs
New Zealand (NZ): Tim Seifert (W), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (C), Glenn Phillips, Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy
South Africa (SA): Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (W), David Miller, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde