Kolkata, March 4 Left-arm seamer Marco Jansen scored an unbeaten 55 to guide South Africa to 169/8 in 20 overs against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
South Africa were in trouble at 77/5 in 10.2 overs before Jansen steadied the innings by hitting two fours and five sixes to get his fifty in 27 balls on a challenging pitch. His innings ensured that the Proteas set New Zealand a target of 170 if they are to reach the final to be played in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
However, with the dew setting in, the pitch will become better for batting and could give an advantage to the Blackcaps. For New Zealand, Cole McConchie, Rachin Ravindra, and Matt Henry each took two wickets to contain the Proteas, although they conceded 61 runs in the last five overs.
After being asked to bat first, Quinton de Kock started well with stylish fours and sixes before miscuing to mid-on off McConchie in the first over. A ball later, McConchie struck when he had Ryan Rickelton slashing to backward point for a golden duck.
Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis attempted to rebuild, with the former dropped on three by Rachin Ravindra, and the latter taking boundaries off Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham. However, Markram eventually fell for 18, caught at long-on off Ravindra in the eighth over.
Brevis continued to be fluent by hitting Ravindra for a six over cow corner and carting Mitchell Santner for another maximum over mid-wicket. However, Brevis fell for 34 - caught at cover off Neesham in the 11th over, while David Miller too departed for six after holing out to long-on off Ravindra.
Tristan Stubbs joined Jansen, and the pair steadied the Proteas innings. After taking a boundary off Santner, Jansen cleared the long-on fence twice off Ravindra and Henry each. Stubbs, meanwhile, showed signs of acceleration by pulling Henry for four, before driving and clubbing Neesham for a four and six respectively, even as Jansen matched him.
Their partnership lifted South Africa past 150 before Stubbs was castled by Ferguson in the 19th over. However, Jansen continued to attack, bringing up his maiden fifty of the tournament with consecutive sixes off Ferguson. He remained unbeaten on 55 and, despite losing Corbin Bosch and Kagiso Rabada in the final over, ensured South Africa reached a competitive total.
Brief scores:
South Africa 169/8 in 20 overs (Marco Jansen 55 not out, Dewald Brevis 34; Cole McConchie 2-9, Rachin Ravindra 2-29) against New Zealand
