The quest for global glory reaches a fever pitch today as South Africa take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The historic Eden Gardens plays host to this heavyweight clash, where the winner will secure a place in the Ahmedabad final on March 8.

South Africa enter the knockout stage as the tournament's form side. Aiden Markram’s men have been clinical, maintaining a flawless 100% winning record throughout the group and Super 8 stages. Their confidence will be bolstered by a convincing seven-wicket victory over the Black Caps earlier in the competition. New Zealand, however, are renowned for their "big match" temperament. Despite a more turbulent path to the final four—qualifying via a superior net run rate after a narrow loss to England—the Kiwis remain a formidable threat in knockout cricket.

Pitch report: A batting paradise with a twist

The Eden Gardens surface has traditionally been a friend to the batters during this tournament, with first-innings scores averaging a robust 183. While a light covering of grass may offer early encouragement to the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, the dry nature of the square suggests a high-scoring encounter.

Captaincy will be tested at the toss; the team batting second typically holds an advantage here under lights. Spinners will need to be wary as the match progresses, as any grip found in the afternoon may vanish once the evening dew sets in.

Also read: Proteas vs Kiwis: Head-to-head record in T20 World Cup

Weather forecast: Hazy and humid

The forecast for Kolkata is largely positive for a full 40-over contest. Temperatures are expected to peak at 33°C during the day before settling into a pleasant 27°C for the evening session. While the skies should remain clear of rain, humidity remains a significant factor. High moisture levels are expected to result in heavy dew during the second innings, potentially making the ball difficult to grip for the New Zealand spinners, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra.

SA vs NZ probable XIs

SA playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

NZ playing XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson.

Streaming info: Where to watch

Fans in India can catch every delivery of this high-stakes semi-final across multiple platforms:

  • Television: Live coverage is available on the Star Sports Network.

  • Live Stream: Online viewers can access the match via the JioHotstar app and website.

  • Match Timing: The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 19:00 IST.  (With inputs from Agencies)