The South Africa vs West Indies T20I Series 2026 kicks off with the first T20I at Boland Park, Paarl. This series is an important preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, making every match crucial.
South Africa return to international action after the successful conclusion of SA20 2025-26, where several Proteas players were in excellent form. On the other hand, West Indies arrive after a mixed outing in their previous T20I series and will be keen to start fresh.
The opening match will be played on Tuesday night, and fans can expect an exciting contest between two power-packed teams.
SA vs WI Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | South Africa vs West Indies T20I Series 2026 |
| Match | South Africa vs West Indies, 1st T20I |
| Date | Tuesday, 27 January 2026 |
| Time | 09:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Boland Park, Paarl |
Match Preview
South Africa
South Africa will play their final T20I series before the T20 World Cup 2026, and they have most of their key players available. Several players come straight from strong SA20 performances, giving the team good momentum.
- Strong top and middle order
- Variety in bowling attack
- Home conditions in their favour
Aiden Markram will lead the side and look to settle combinations early.
Key Players:
Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen
West Indies
West Indies are a dangerous T20 side but have been inconsistent in recent matches. They lost a recent series but managed to win the last T20I, which gives them some confidence.
- Explosive batters
- Spin options can be effective
- Need better consistency with bat and ball
The return of players like Shai Hope strengthens their batting lineup.
Key Players:
Shai Hope, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Akeal Hosein
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| West Indies | 14 |
| South Africa | 12 |
| No Result | 0 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| South Africa | L, W, L, NR, L |
| West Indies | NR, L, L, L, W |
Weather & Pitch Report – Paarl
Weather Update
- Temperature: 26–28°C
- Humidity: 40–45%
- Rain: No rain expected
Pitch Report
- Batting-friendly surface
- Spinners get some grip as match progresses
- Average scores expected
- Toss not a big factor but batting first could help
Ground Stats – Boland Park, Paarl (T20Is)
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 11 |
| Bat First Wins | 7 |
| Bat Second Wins | 4 |
| Tie / No Result | 0 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 137 |
| Highest Score | 201/5 |
| Lowest Score | 60 |
Predicted Playing XI
South Africa
- Aiden Markram (c)
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Ryan Rickelton
- Dewald Brevis
- Tristan Stubbs
- Jason Smith
- George Linde
- Marco Jansen
- Kagiso Rabada
- Keshav Maharaj
- Lungi Ngidi
West Indies
- Brandon King
- Shai Hope (c)
- Johnson Charles
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Rovman Powell
- Matthew Forde
- Justin Greaves
- Akeal Hosein
- Shamar Springer
- Gudakesh Motie
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Aiden Markram
- Jason Holder
- Romario Shepherd
- Corbin Bosch
Grand League (Risky Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Shai Hope
- Dewald Brevis
- Ryan Rickelton
- Brandon King
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
This match is an ideal warm-up ahead of the T20 World Cup. South Africa have several players in form from SA20 and also enjoy home advantage.
West Indies have explosive players but have looked inconsistent, especially in bowling. South Africa appear more balanced and settled at the moment.
Predicted Winner: South Africa
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| West Indies | No injury updates |
| South Africa | No injury updates |
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