Proteas maintain perfect record at T20 World Cup after thumping New Zealand

By Nasri Alexander
14th February 2026

The Proteas made it three wins from three at the T20 World Cup after a thumping seven-wicket victory against New Zealand with more than two overs to spare in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 176, captain Aiden Markram looked in imperious form with an unbeaten 86 from just 44 balls to make sure his team cruised over the line in the 18th over.

Markram was the main contributor as the Proteas got off to a scintillating start in the run-chase, getting to an imposing 83-1 in the powerplay with Quinton de Kock (20 off 14) the wicket to fall.

Ryan Rickelton kept the foot on the accelerator, striking two fours and a six, with 21 off just 11 deliveries before being caught on the boundary going for another maximum in the eighth over but, at the stage there was already 100 runs on the board.

Dewald Brevis looked bright for his 21, that included a four and a six, but was flummoxed by the spin of Rachin Ravindra.

David Miller (24 not out) then kept his skipper company and hit the winnings runs, certainly a more comfortable win than the previous victory against Afghanistan that needed two super overs.

Earlier, Marco Jansen took career-best figures of 4-40 in four overs as the Proteas restricted the Black Caps to a total of 175-7 on what looked like a good batting pitch.

New Zealand's openers put on a stand of 33 but Jansen struck in the fourth over, the left-arm seamer removing Tim Seifert for 13.

The lanky paceman made a double breakthrough when he had Ravindra caught a short third-man and then also accounted for Finn Allen (31).

When Glenn Phillips was bowled off the inside-edge off spinner Keshav Maharaj, the Kiwis were in trouble at 64-4 in the seventh over.

Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell then put on a stand of 74 to resurrect the faltering innings but Jansen returned to get rid of the Chapman for 48.

Mitchell was then removed by Lungi Ngidi and New Zealand failed to fire in the final four overs, with Jimmy Neesham's cameo of 23 taking the score over the 170-run mark.

The Proteas will be happy about their display and now look favourites to qualify for the Super 8s as group winners with a final clash against UAE still to play.