Both WI vs SA sides enter unbeaten, making this a virtual qualifier. West Indies vs South Africa today is the biggest Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium sets the stage for a contest packed with power hitting, wrist spin, and pace.
The WI vs SA cricket match will probably figure out group 1’s semifinal seeding on February 26. West Indies smashed 254 against Zimbabwe. South Africa crushed India by 76 runs.
Now these two form teams collide in what promises to be the most gripping West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup match of the tournament so far. One team’s winning run ends here. The pressure is real. The stakes are massive. India will look to the Proteas for their semifinal chance.
Table of Contents
Match Details of Super 8: West Indies vs South Africa
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
- Stage: Super 8, Group 1.
- Match Number: 47 (also referred to as Super 8 Match 7).
- Date: 26 February 2026.
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India.
- Start Time: 15:00 local (IST) / 09:30 GMT.
- Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar and SuperSport.
- Tickets: District
Pitch Report and Ground Conditions
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch historically favours the team batting first. On this ground, the typical first innings T20I score is 174. The average second innings score drops to 148.
That 26-run gap makes the toss very important. Winning the toss and batting first gives a clear advantage at this venue. The surface offers some grip for spinners in the middle overs. Pace bowlers get movement early.
Teams chasing here feel the pressure as dew rarely affects day matches significantly. Expect a competitive 180-plus total if the side batting first plays freely.
Team News
West Indies captain Shai Hope leads a settled squad. Shimron Hetmyer is the tournament’s top run-scorer for the Windies with 219 runs. Gudakesh Motie leads their bowling with 10 wickets. Akeal Hosein completes a fearsome spin double act.
The batting depth through Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, and Jason Holder makes them dangerous at every position.
South Africa’s Aiden Markram leads a balanced unit. Marco Jansen tops their wicket charts with 11 scalps. David Miller and Tristan Stubbs anchor the middle order. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi spearhead the pace attack.
WI vs SA Super 8 Playing 11
West Indies Probable XI: Shai Hope (c /wk), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
South Africa Probable XI: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
3 Tactical Keys
1. Motie vs South Africa’s Left-Handers
Gudakesh Motie bowled figures of 4/28 against Zimbabwe from his unique left-arm wrist spin angle. He targets left-handers specifically. South Africa has Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and David Miller in that category. Motie worked with Tabraiz Shamsi ahead of the tournament and added new variations. If he fires early in the middle overs, South Africa’s run rate will stall quickly.
2. West Indies Power Hitting vs South Africa’s Pace Trio
Rabada, Jansen, and Ngidi conceded just 111 runs, bowling India out during the Super 8 opener. Now they face Hetmyer, Powell, and Rutherford, three of the cleanest strikers in world cricket. The Proteas pace attack must bowl full and straight. Any width or length errors will go for six. The outcome of the match hinges on the batting in overs 16-20.
3. Toss and Batting Order Decisions
Given Ahmedabad’s first-innings advantage, the toss winner almost certainly bats. The West Indies have shown they can score 250-plus. South Africa hit 187 against India. The team fielding second must chase under pressure on a slower surface. Both captains know this. The toss winner holds a genuine edge in this West Indies vs South Africa T20 World Cup contest.
Players to Watch
Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies) Hetmyer made 85 off 34 balls against Zimbabwe. He is in the form of his career. His ability to clear the boundary from ball one makes him the most dangerous batter in this WI vs SA Super 8 match. He hits with power on both sides of the wicket. Bowlers rarely contain him for long. He is the standout Player of the Match candidate.
Marco Jansen (South Africa) Jansen leads the tournament wicket charts for South Africa with 11 scalps. His left-arm angle troubles right-handers early. He took 4 wickets against India in the Super 8 opener. Jansen bowls with pace and bounce at the death equally well. If West Indies lose Hetmyer early to him, the Windies’ chase or total could be significantly reduced.
Gudakesh Motie (West Indies) Motie’s wrist spin brings a dimension that very few sides handle cleanly. His economy of 7.27 and average of 10.80 in this WI vs sa 2026 tournament tells the story. He is joint fifth on the overall wicket charts. The Proteas faced him recently in South Africa and won 2-1. However, Motie has improved since then. His double-wicket maiden against Zimbabwe proved he is at his peak right now.
West Indies vs South Africa T20I Head-to-Head
| Metric | West Indies | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 26 | |
| Matches Won | 14 | 12 |
| Home Wins | 6 | 6 |
| Away/Neutral Wins | 8 | 6 |
| Highest Team Score | 258/5 (2023) | 259/4 (2023) |
| Lowest Team Score | 119/7 (2010) | 120/7 (2010) |
Recent Series Outcomes (2024–2026)
| Series/Tournament | Date | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| WI tour of South Africa | Jan 2026 | South Africa | 2–1 |
| SA tour of West Indies | Aug 2024 | West Indies | 3–0 |
| T20 World Cup | June 2024 | South Africa | Super 8 Match |
| SA tour of West Indies | May 2024 | West Indies | 3–0 |
Prediction
West Indies win this match. Their batting depth is the deepest of any remaining team. Hetmyer and Powell in the same XI is simply too much firepower for any side to absorb at this venue.
Motie and Hosein with the ball add a second dimension that South Africa must solve. South Africa is dangerous, but their top-order fragility, three wickets for 20 runs against India, remains a concern. West Indies bat first and set 185-plus. South Africa fought hard but fell short by 18 to 25 runs.
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