Marco Jansen’s first four-wicket haul in T20 internationals dismantled New Zealand, setting up an easy win for South Africa and likely top spot in Group D of the T20 World Cup. While final group positions matter little with Super Eight fixtures already mapped out, South Africa’s dominance sent a clear message.
This was the first successful chase in a night match at this World Cup and arguably the first night game between evenly matched sides. Having already navigated a tough group that included Afghanistan, both teams played with freedom.
New Zealand started aggressively, racing to 33 without loss in 3.1 overs and 57 for 1 in 5.1 overs. They reached 138 for 4 in the 14th over and looked on course for a strong total. Each time momentum built, however, Jansen struck back.
His final blows shut New Zealand down. The last 37 balls produced just 37 runs as wickets fell steadily. Jansen’s variations—particularly his slower deliveries and knuckle ball—proved decisive, finishing with a career-best four wickets.
Earlier, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada kept openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen quiet briefly before Allen launched a clean, powerful counterattack. Jansen adjusted his field and length quickly, removing Seifert and then dismissing Allen and Rachin Ravindra in the powerplay.
Middle-order resistance came from Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell, but wickets kept falling. When Keshav Maharaj dismissed Glenn Phillips, New Zealand slipped into recovery mode. Jansen’s return sealed the collapse, and despite a late push from James Neesham, New Zealand were held to a modest 175—below par with dew setting in.
Aiden Markram produced a masterclass, scoring a career-best 86 off 44 balls to finish the chase with 17 balls remaining. His innings was built on timing rather than risk, highlighted by elegant drives on both sides of the wicket.
Markram reached the fastest half-century by a South African in T20 World Cups—off just 19 balls—and powered the team to a joint-highest tournament powerplay score of 83. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton provided solid support, but the night clearly belonged to Markram.
The win extended South Africa’s unbeaten record against New Zealand in T20 World Cups to five matches and reinforced their credentials as a title contender.
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