Zimbabwe vs South Africa: Report, result, highlights as Markram calls ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal ‘really exciting’

Dewald Brevis scored 42 off 18 deliveries as South Africa came through a misfiring batting performance to beat Zimbabwe by five wickets and progress to an ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against New Zealand.

Chasing 154, the Proteas lost openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram for single-figure scores as Sikandar Raza took 3-29.

George Linde hit 30 and Tristan Stubbs posted 21 as South Africa extended their perfect record at the tournament with 13 balls to spare, securing a result that also means England will meet India or West Indies in the semi-finals.

T20 World Cup: Why Markram wanted ‘pressure’ for middle order

South Africa captain Aiden Markram suggested the match had been “tricky” but praised his bowlers and fielders for “really stepping up”.

“I would’ve loved to be clinical with the bat,” Markram said (via ANI), having been out for four. “But it’s probably not the worst thing that the middle order was put under pressure and came through.

“The least you can do is give an opportunity to the guys working behind the scenes [squad members].

“You never know if you’re going to need them. Can get to conditions that scream out to play one of them, and now they’ve got a game under their belts.”

South Africa to face New Zealand again

Markram might have particular cause to describe his side’s semi-final as “really exciting” because South Africa beat New Zealand by seven wickets during the group stage on February 14.

“The boys will be up for it in a couple of days’ time,” he added. “You look at playing one really good game of cricket, and hopefully the result takes care of itself.

“Still, it’s 40 overs of good cricket needed and we need to give it that respect.”

Zimbabwe vs South Africa teams

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi

What’s next for these teams? South Africa T20 cricket World Cup fixtures

South Africa are next in World Cup action in that semi-final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday (13:30 GMT).

Here are their wins at the tournament so far.

Zimbabwe ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Ben Curran, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande (wk), Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava

South Africa ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs