Five match-ups as old foes collide

AS THE ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 reaches its business end, both the Proteas and New Zealand will be desperate to shed their "nearly men" tags in today’s first semifinal in Kolkata.

- JOHN GOLIATH

The South Africans gave the Black Caps a proper hiding in their group match, winning the contest by seven wickets after successfully chasing down 175 with 17 balls to spare. But a semifinal brings a different pressure, and past results often count for nothing in the shortest and most volatile format of the game.

In these high-stakes matches, it is about winning the individual battles within the war.

Independent Newspapers looks at five match-ups which could be key to victory at Eden Gardens.

Marco Jansen v Tim Seifert

The Powerplay battle pits Seifert’s innovation and aggression against Jansen’s bounce and guile with the new ball.

After a blistering start to the tournament, Seifert has gone off the boil, managing just 13 runs against the Proteas in Ahmedabad after being dismissed by Jansen.

However, when he gets going, he can be destructive in front of the wicket and has the ability to manipulate the field with scoop and ramp shots behind square.

Jansen has been one of the tournament’s most economical Powerplay bowlers. If he finds early swing under the Eden Gardens lights, he will be a real handful. However, it is his bounce off a length and his newfound knuckle-ball that have caused the most damage in the tournament thus far.

Lungi Ngidi v Rachin Ravindra