SA vs WI Stats Preview - 1st T20I, West Indies tour of South Africa 2026

SA vs WI Stats Preview 1st T20I. [Source - AFP]

South Africa and West Indies are coming up against each other in the first T20I of the three-match series on Tuesday, January 27th. The mouthwatering clash will be played at the Boland Park in Paarl and is scheduled to begin at 9:30 PM IST.

SA vs WI 1st T20I preview, 2026

South Africa

South Africa head into their final T20 World Cup push with a dominant, well-balanced squad. In-form stars combine with exciting youngsters and seasoned experience across departments, giving the Proteas depth, flexibility and confidence as they take on West Indies in a crucial preparatory contest ahead.

West Indies

West Indies enter the series seeking momentum after unconvincing recent outings against Afghanistan. With key players returning, the squad looks stronger and more balanced, offering renewed belief as they chase better results, try new combinations and build a side capable of challenging anyone ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Top run scorers in SA vs WI T20Is

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

Quinton de Kock - 499 runs

Quinton de Kock is leading run-scorer in SA vs WI T20Is with 499 runs at 38.38 average and 148.51 strike-rate.

Aiden Markram - 322 runs

Aiden Markram is the next name in the list with 322 runs at 40.25 average and 156.31 strike-rate in this fixture.

Johnson Charles - 255 runs

Johnson Charles loves playing against South Africa as he has 255 runs at 36.42 average in this fixture with a strike-rate of 187.5.

Top wicket-takers in SA vs WI T20Is

We are considering only the players from the current squad.

Kagiso Rabada - 12 wickets

Kagiso Rabada is the leading wicket-taker in SA vs WI T20Is with 12 wickets at 31.08 average and 19.8 strike-rate.

Gudakesh Motie - 9 wickets

Gudakesh Motie is next on the list with nine wickets at 18.77 average and 14.6 strike-rate in this fixture.

Lungi Ngidi - 9 wickets

Lungi Ngidi has taken nine wickets in SA vs WI T20Is at an average of 36 and a strike-rate of 20.

SA vs WI key stats

South Africa key records

• South Africa has won only one of their last 10 T20I series.
• South Africa has lost the only T20I they have played at Boland Park till date.
• Dewald Brevis was South Africa’s T20I leading run-scorer in 2025 - 464 runs, 30.93 average and 176.42 strike-rate.
• Corbin Bosch was the best South African T20I bowler in 2025 - 20 wickets, 17.5 average and 13.2 strike-rate.
• Lungi Ngidi is leading T20I wicket-taker for South Africa at home - 28 wickets, 21.03 average and 12.8 strike-rate.
• Quinton de Kock was the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded SA20 2026 - 390 runs at 39 average and 148.85 strike-rate.

West Indies key records

• West Indies have won the last two T20I series they played in South Africa.
• West Indies have won 4 of their last six T20Is in South Africa.
• West Indies have won 8 of their last T20Is vs South Africa.
• Shai Hope has been West Indies’ best batter in T20Is since 2025 - 556 runs, 34.75 average and 136.6 strike-rate, 1 100 and 4 50s.
• Jason Holder was by far the best WI bowler in T20Is, 2025 - 31 wickets, 22.61 average and 15.7 strike-rate.
• Johnson Charles is leading run-scorer amongst the current WI squad in T20Is in South Africa - 146 runs, 239.34 strike-rate and a century.

SA vs WI key records which could be broken in 1st T20I, 2026

• Jason Holder is 3 wickets away from becoming the first ever West Indies player to complete 100 T20I wickets.
• Shai Hope is 97 runs away from 1500 T20I runs.
• Rovman Powell is 12 sixes away from completing 150 T20I sixes and becoming the leading six hitter in T20Is for West Indies.
• Jason Holder needs 4 sixes to complete 50 T20I sixes.