Captain Aiden Markram led from the front with a sensational unbeaten 86 as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, keeping their perfect record intact at the T20 World Cup.
Chasing 176, the Proteas came out firing, racing to 83 for 1 inside the Powerplay as Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton dismantled the Black Caps attack. Markram brought up a blistering half-century from just 19 balls – joint fastest of the tournament – with a straight six, and from there the result was never in doubt.
New Zealand briefly managed to stem the flow, but the damage had already been done. South Africa reached the target with 17 balls to spare, Markram finishing with eight fours and four sixes in a commanding 44-ball knock.
Earlier, the Black Caps made a lively start after being sent in, with Finn Allen smashing 31 off 17 balls. However, Marco Jansen turned the game on its head with three quick wickets, removing Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, and Allen in rapid succession.
A steady rebuild from Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell kept New Zealand ticking along at close to ten an over, but Chapman’s dismissal for 48 sparked a late slowdown. The Proteas tightened the screws to restrict them to 175 for 7 – a total that quickly looked below par.
Markram picked up where he left off in the chase, powering through the New Zealand quicks and finding support from Rickelton and Dewald Brevis, who both chipped in with 21. De Kock fell to a slower ball from Lockie Ferguson, but there was no stopping the momentum.
Markram calmly guided proceedings before watching from the non-striker’s end as David Miller sealed the win in style, launching Ferguson into the stands for a towering six.
The victory leaves South Africa on the brink of Super 8 qualification, while New Zealand remain well placed – needing a win over Canada national cricketj team to join them.