Match 43 of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday sees South Africa play their first Super 8s match against hosts and tournament favorites, India.
The Proteas took care of business in the group stages. They first beat a plucky Canadian side by 57 runs. They then took down Afghanistan in the second of two super overs to pick up their second win of the World Cup.
South Africa continued to beat New Zealand by seven wickets before enjoying a leisurely run chase to win their final Group D game against the UAE. Undefeated and with batsmen and bowlers in excellent form, the Proteas are looking like a serious contender for this trophy.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
South Africa VS India Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
South Africa VS India Date: Sunday, February 22
South Africa VS India Odds:
History
We have been here before. South Africa had the 2024 T20 World Cup final in hand before India ripped control away and went on to beat the Proteas by seven runs two years ago. This match might not have those stakes on the line, but it will be huge in determining who finishes top of Group 1 in the Super 8s.
The other two teams in the group are Zimbabwe and the West Indies. While both India and South Africa would fancy their chances against both sides, whoever loses this one will have their backs against the wall. Playing just three matches in the group means an upset or weather issues are possible, so look for the Proteas to do everything they can to turn their outstanding form from the earlier group stage into an upset win over the hosts.
South Africa
South Africa and India both qualified undefeated. The Proteas had the second-best NNR in the group stage behind India, so there is nothing to suggest this one will be anything other than a close match.
The Proteas will rely on the power hitting of the likes of Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram to tear into India’s experienced bowling unit. South Africa has explosive run producers throughout the top and middle order, a real luxury, and all it would take is two of those batsmen to put on a blistering partnership to put India in trouble.
India
Sitting in a pool with Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia, it is fair to ask if India is ready for the test that the Proteas will give them. India looked shaky in their opener against the USA, before blasting through the rest of their group while barely causing a sweat. It was not ideal preparation for the business end of this World Cup.
There is also no (good) consistency in the batting. Opener Sharma Abhishek has recorded three successive ducks, so taking him at 47/10 to be the top bat would seem foolish. If South Africa can get into the top of this order with Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, then they have a shot here.
Best Bets
Take South Africa straight up at 39/20 to win here. They are in better form, more battle-tested, and their bats are going to cause India some real issues.
