ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match 24 pits unbeaten New Zealand against unbeaten South Africa in Group D at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. New Zealand boast W W in tournament games.
South Africa also sit on W W despite a dramatic tiebreaker win. New Zealand dominate recent H2H with three straight victories. Both teams hold 4 points and aim to secure top spot for Super 8 momentum on a high-scoring venue favoring chases.
New Zealand Review & Recent Form
New Zealand lead Group D with 4 points (+1.919 NRR). They push for continued dominance to top the group.
Last five matches: W W L W L
Explosive batting defines run. Crushed UAE 175/0 chasing 174 (Allen 84, Seifert 89 in record 175* opening stand). Beat Afghanistan 183/5 chasing 183. Chasing prowess shines with high run-rates. Balanced attack takes wickets consistently.
| Match | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Recent | UAE | 175/0 (15.2 ov) won by 10 wkts |
| Prior | Afghanistan | 183/5 (17.5 ov) won by 5 wkts |
| Earlier | USA (warm-up) | Won by 7 runs |
South Africa Review & Recent Form
South Africa share top with 4 points (+1.425 NRR). They target consistency after thriller survival.
Last five matches: W W L L W
Dramatic resilience shown. Beat Afghanistan via 2nd Super Over after double tie (187 all out, first SO 17-17, second SA 23 beat AFG 19). Crushed Canada by 57 runs. Top-order aggression from Rickelton/de Kock; Ngidi dominates bowling (7 wkts in 2 games).
| Match | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Recent | Afghanistan | Won via 2nd Super Over |
| Prior | Canada | Won by 57 runs |
| Earlier | India (warm-up) | Lost by 30 runs |
Head-to-Head Record
New Zealand won last three meetings in 2025 tri-series.
| Date | Competition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2025 | T20I Tri-Series | NZ 180/5 beat RSA 177/6 by 3 runs |
| Jul 22, 2025 | T20I Tri-Series | NZ 135/3 beat RSA 134/8 by 7 wkts |
| Jul 16, 2025 | T20I Tri-Series | NZ 173/5 beat RSA 152 by 21 runs |
Lineups, Injuries & Suspensions
New Zealand – No major injuries. Predicted XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
South Africa – No key absences. Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj.
Odds, Markets & Betting Tips
Close contest with slight New Zealand edge from chasing form/H2H. 1X2 ranges: New Zealand 1.95–2.10, South Africa 1.75–1.85.
Over/Under 180.5: Over 1.85–1.95 on batting paradise (first innings avg ~190).
BTTS (150+ each): Yes 1.70–1.80.
Highest opening partnership: New Zealand over 65.5 ~1.90.
Player props: Finn Allen over 35.5 runs ~1.85; Lungi Ngidi over 1.5 wkts ~2.00.
| Market | Option | Odds Range |
|---|---|---|
| Match Winner | New Zealand | 1.95–2.10 |
| Total Runs | Over 180.5 | 1.85–1.95 |
| BTTS 150+ | Yes | 1.70–1.80 |
Where to Watch Online & Kickoff Time
Stream on Star Sports, Willow TV, Disney+ Hotstar (India), SuperSport (South Africa), Sky Sport NZ. Kickoff 19:00 local (13:30 UTC) February 14, 2026.
Prediction: New Zealand vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand carry explosive top order and proven chasing record on dew-assisted pitch favoring second innings. South Africa boast lethal pace in Ngidi but middle-order vulnerabilities persist. The main risk for New Zealand is early breakthrough against openers; South Africa could falter if Rabada repeats death-over issues.
