Markram, South Africa pin focus on basics for T20WC semis
The Proteas will be eyeing a second successive Men's T20 World Cup final as they face New Zealand in the final four.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram has urged his team to keep things simple and stay focused on the task at hand as they take on New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Kolkata on Wednesday.
The Proteas have the perfect record in the tournament so far, having won all seven in the lead up to the knockouts. Runner-ups from the previous editiona are enjoying a a run of 15 wins from their last 16 T20 World Cup matches heading into the crucial clash against the Kiwis. Their form has earmarked South Africa as one of the big favourites to go all the way at the ongoing tournament.
“With regards to being favourites or not, that's all different people's opinions,” Markram said on the eve of the semi-final.
“(For) us as a team, (we want to) really just try to focus on putting good games of cricket together and playing that exciting brand that we've been trying to play the last 18 months or so, and if it comes off, then hopefully it's entertaining and can sort of put us into a good position.
"We are not trying to do anything different tomorrow. Keep hammering away at the things that we have done well and that have got us here and if we can execute that well again tomorrow, we stand a chance," he added.
South Africa achieved a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in their group stage clash when the two sides met in Ahmedabad, but the skipper feels that that game doesn’t hold much bearing ahead of the semi-final.
“I wish cricket was that easy. New Zealand are a quality team. They've proved that over many years now, and we had a good run out against them in the group stages, but both teams have played a lot of cricket since then, and it's a completely fresh start tomorrow,” Markram said.
“It being a semi-final is exciting as well, so I don't think it's as straightforward as just being able to repeat that. There are a lot of variables in this game, but the boys are very excited for the opportunity to play in a semi-final against a good team like New Zealand, and we'll try to bring our best game to the front again,” he added.
South Africa secure a comfortable win | Match Highlights | T20WC 2026
South Africa bossed their contest against New Zealand, securing a big win in Ahmedabad.
The 2024 T20 World Cup runners-up have played five out of their seven matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and will be playing at the Eden Gardens for the first time this tournament. However, Markram is confident his team have the capability to adapt to the conditions.
“We have got a lot of good experience in the group. Quinny reads conditions really well from behind the stumps and that makes a massive difference for us,” he said
“We get that around the group and the guys come up with plans from there and ultimately you need to execute them.
We don't try to complicate it too much. We just try to get a real feel for conditions as quick as we can and we back those plans for the innings,” he added.
South Africa have never played a T20I at the Eden Gardens and will look to make a winning start at the venue in the shortest format of the game when they take on New Zealand on Wednesday.
