In New Delhi, South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince has hinted at potential changes in the team's lineup ahead of their match against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. The Proteas have been undefeated so far and have already qualified for the semi-finals from Group 1.
"I think there's an opportunity to give some players who haven't been playing regularly a chance. I suppose it's important to consider the players who have been playing – we'll have a discussion with the coach and medical staff about their fitness levels.
"Or, perhaps, there are players who are carrying minor injuries and who might be better suited to rest rather than playing another game. But I think there's an opportunity to give some of the players who haven't been playing a chance," Prince said in the pre-match press conference.
Despite the prospect of changes, Prince expressed satisfaction with South Africa's performance so far in the tournament. "It's really satisfying that we've been tested at different stages during the tournament. Different players have stepped up at different times. It's also nice that we had a competitive tournament at home leading up to the World Cup."
When asked if South Africa considered themselves the favorites to win the trophy, Prince said, "As far as the favorites are concerned, T20 cricket is unpredictable. We saw a match last night that could have gone either way, and England ultimately won against New Zealand. Anything can happen in T20 cricket. We're just focusing on performing well in this match."
South Africa is the clear favorite against their neighbors, Zimbabwe, who have impressed to reach the Super Eights after topping Group B, but are now out of contention for the semi-finals.
"You have to respect the opposition. They've done their part to qualify for the Super Eights. They've had a fantastic tournament, and it's great to see them reach this stage. They'll be disappointed that they won't have the opportunity to go further in the tournament."
"But from our point of view, we've been really sharp, and we want to ensure that we maintain that level of intensity and discipline. We don't want to drop off in either of those areas."
Much of South Africa's batting success has been driven by the form of captain Aiden Markram, who has scored 264 runs at a strike rate of 178 across six innings, including three half-centuries. His strike rate of 200 in the Power-play is the highest among all batters who have faced 50 or more deliveries in that phase in this tournament.
Markram, who has hit three fifties in the tournament so far, is also on track to break the record for most runs scored by a captain in a single T20 World Cup edition, currently held by Pakistan's Babar Azam, who amassed 303 runs in 2021. Prince believes that Markram's confidence gained from his strong performance in SA20 has carried over to the World Cup.
"Aiden is playing really well at the moment. In the past, there might have been different opinions about his best position in the lineup. He's played in different positions, not only for us but also in leagues where he's batted in different positions. I've always believed that opening is his best position, and obviously having a partner like Quinton de Kock, who is also a fantastic player, complements him really well. And, of course, I've seen Aiden in a few interviews referencing his time with the SA20."
"He started the SA20 in the middle order, but towards the end, when some of the personnel left, he was opening and performed really strongly in that position. And he's brought that confidence into the World Cup. His form is really good at the moment. It's all about focusing on his batting and captaincy at the same time."
"So all the other players are just enjoying each other's company, and that's also a key factor – what's happening outside of the matches, in the team environment, in the dressing room, and the players are really enjoying each other's company. The families are here, and I saw a video of David Miller pushing the kids around at the airport. The atmosphere is really good, and the guys are really enjoying themselves," he elaborated.
Prince also praised middle-order batsman Tristan Stubbs for his impressive form, especially after being initially left out of the team. Stubbs has scored unbeaten knocks of 34 and 44 against Canada and India in Ahmedabad.
"You can see his personality when he takes a catch or when the team takes a wicket, and how he celebrates. If you look at his time with the SA20, he was awarded the captaincy after being initially left out of the team.
"If you know him the way that I know him, it is that some players at the time of being left out of the World Cup squad might have used the SA20, particularly in a position of leadership or power, to enhance their own situation. But he's a selfless character. He slotted himself into the middle order. It was people like Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, and initially young Hermann, who took the lead for the Sunrisers.
"Tristan Stubbs was quite happy to slot himself in the middle order. For him, it's always about the team and how the team is doing, and obviously, when he's required, you'll have his moment, and for the Sunrisers, he did exactly that, and no bigger moment than when he was needed in the final, he stepped up to the plate.
"We have a lot of these characters in the dressing room, where it's a selfless one, and people want just to do their bit for the team. It's not about individuals and having their glory, it's all about the team and sacrifice for the team, and that starts right at the top of our leadership coach and captain, Markram," he concluded.
