Santner backs New Zealand to rise to the occasion
Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand aim to go one step closer to the trophy in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against South Africa.
New Zealand have managed to put the disappointment of the 2024 T20 World Cup behind them, where they failed to progress past the group stage. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, they have now set up a blockbuster semi-final clash against South Africa and are just two wins away from lifting the title for the first time.
Their skipper, Mitchell Santner, has backed his side to challenge the very best and expects his team to bring that belief and adaptability into the semi-final in Kolkata on March 4.
"I think it's whether you want to call it the underdogs or not. I think for us, it's everyone's goal throughout the tournament to get to the stage. We're here now and we back ourselves, you know, in one-off games against most teams, to be able to adapt as quickly as we can to what's in front of us." said Santner.
In recent ICC Men’s events, South Africa and New Zealand have followed similar arcs. Both sides have consistently produced stellar performances but have fallen just short of going all the way, especially in white-ball tournaments.
New Zealand reached the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup but fell short against Australia. Meanwhile, South Africa endured heartbreak in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, going down to India.
“I guess it's you look it's probably two teams that have been in and around it for a long time. I guess we know the heartbreak of South Africa two years ago. I think again they're playing some very good cricket as they've shown throughout this tournament.”
South Africa are unbeaten in the tournament, with their seven-match winning streak including a commanding seven-wicket group-stage victory over New Zealand.
Mitchell Santner acknowledged the quality of the opposition but stressed that New Zealand are prepared to apply pressure on the Proteas when it matters most.
“I guess the only unbeaten team you know we've been playing some some decent cricket as well.” said the New Zealand skipper.
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 pressure of a semi-final and the ever-changing nature of T20 cricket mean it could ultimately come down to which side reads the conditions better tomorrow in Kolkata.
"It's I guess whoever turns up on the day tomorrow. Whoever, you know, assesses conditions the best they can. We know South Africa are going to be a threat, as they've shown, and we're just going to go out there and try, you know, to put some pressure on them at different stages of the game. And, they're going to do the same to us.” said Santner.
Santner also provided an update on the availability of pacer Matt Henry, who is on his way back to India after he returned home earlier for the birth of his second child. The right-arm pacer has picked up seven wickets in as many games in the tournament, and his availability will boost New Zealand’s pace attack.
“Matt is currently in the air and is landing tonight so I guess we'll see how he pulls up. It's obviously quite far away New Zealand from here but you know he'll obviously have a little run around in the morning to see if he's ready to go. So yeah now hopefully he's good to go.” said Santner.
