The lights are on at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens for the biggest game of the year so far.

South Africa and New Zealand are now just one win away from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final.

For two teams that have often struggled to cross the finish line in major events, tonight is a massive chance to finally change that story.

Where to Watch: Live Broadcasting & Streaming

You can follow every ball of this knockout clash through these official platforms:

India: Watch live on Star Sports Network or stream via Disney+ Hotstar.
Global: The match is available worldwide on ICC.tv.
South Africa: Full coverage is provided by SuperSport.
New Zealand: Fans can tune in via Sky Sport NZ.

🏏 Live Match Updates!

Keep up with every run! Here is Live Match Score for the quickest ball-by-ball commentary and real-time scores for this semi-final.

Probable Squads (Before Toss)

These are the expected lineups for the big game. Please keep in mind these are Before Toss squads; we will provide updates if any changes are announced at the toss.

South Africa (Probable XI): Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

New Zealand (Probable XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Form Guide: The Unstoppable vs The Survivors

South Africa arrives in Kolkata with a flawless record, having notched up seven straight wins in this tournament. Their knack for coming out on top in tight finishes has been the highlight of their journey under Aiden Markram.

New Zealand had a much tougher run through the Super 8s. However, the Black Caps are famous for their grit and usually find their best form when the pressure of a knockout match is at its peak.

The History: Can the Black Caps Break the Jinx?

History is firmly on the side of the Proteas in this tournament. South Africa has met New Zealand five times in T20 World Cup history and won every single time. Even in the group stages of this current event, South Africa chased down their target easily to win by 7 wickets. Whether New Zealand can finally flip the script on the big stage is the question everyone is asking.

Kolkata Pitch and Weather Conditions

The track at Eden Gardens is a dream for any batter, offering true bounce and a lightning-fast outfield.

The Dew Factor: Since this is a night match, moisture on the grass is very likely. This often helps the ball slide onto the bat, which gives a slight edge to the team batting second.
Weather: The sky is clear with no rain in the forecast, so we are set for a full 40 overs of action.

Final Verdict

While South Africa’s perfect run makes them the favorites, New Zealand’s history in semi-finals makes them a dangerous opponent. If the Proteas can handle the pressure of the moment, they look ready to reach their first-ever T20 World Cup final.