New Zealand produced one of the most stunning performances in T20 World Cup history on March 4, 2026, dismantling South Africa by nine wickets with 43 balls to spare in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The result was decisive, with New Zealand chasing down a target of 170 with extraordinary ease, confirming their place in the final and ending South Africa’s unbeaten run through the tournament in brutal fashion.
South Africa’s batting unit was never fully in control, losing wickets at regular intervals on a slower-than-expected Eden Gardens surface. Dewald Brevis flickered briefly for 34 off 27 balls before being undone by the pace of the pitch, spooning a drive to cover. South Africa were in significant trouble at 77 for 5 before lower-order resistance arrived. Marco Jansen combined with Tristan Stubbs for a 73-run sixth-wicket partnership, a new record for South Africa in men’s T20 internationals. Jansen finished unbeaten on 55 from 30 balls, lifting the total to 169 for 8 in 20 overs. It turned out to be nowhere near enough.
Tim Seifert made the early running for New Zealand, contributing 41 of the 62 runs the Black Caps had put on through the first five overs of their chase. After that, the match belonged entirely to Finn Allen. South Africa’s attack tried everything, with Kagiso Rabada going to his legcutter and Lungi Ngidi offering slower deliveries, but nothing worked. Allen reached his fifty off just 19 balls and then stormed to a century off 33, shattering Chris Gayle’s previous T20 World Cup record of a 47-ball hundred against England in 2016. It was the fastest century in the history of the men’s T20 World Cup. Allen faced 33 balls in total and sent 18 of those to or over the boundary.
The opening partnership between Allen and Seifert produced 117 runs off just 55 balls before Rabada dismissed Seifert for 58. By that point the match was long over as a contest. Allen finished unbeaten on 100 from 33 balls, his third T20 international century, and was named Player of the Match without question.
New Zealand’s bowling unit had also done their job effectively in the first innings. Rachin Ravindra finished with 2 for 29 from his four overs, taking his tournament tally to 11 wickets. Cole McConchie was equally impressive with 2 for 9 in a controlled display. Matt Henry closed out South Africa’s innings by claiming the wickets of Corbin Bosch and Rabada in the final over.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram reflected afterwards that his team may have needed to reach 190 to remain competitive, acknowledging that the conditions favoured batting as the dew set in. For New Zealand, the victory represented a statement win against a side that had beaten them in the group stages and entered the knockout match as one of the tournament favourites. New Zealand now advanced to the final in Ahmedabad, while South Africa headed home to reflect on another agonising semi-final exit.
The performance confirmed New Zealand as genuine title contenders heading into the final. South Africa, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a familiar story of tournament excellence undone at the semi-final stage. Markram praised his squad for their performances throughout the competition and vowed the group would return stronger. Allen’s innings will be discussed for years to come as one of the great knockout performances in the history of T20 cricket.
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