South Africa Playing XI Vs New Zealand- T20 World Cup 2026, Match 24- Kagiso Rabada Dropped?

South Africa probable XI Vs New Zealand [Source: AFP Photo]

South Africa played the game of the tournament against a resilient Afghanistan side on Wednesday, and after winning two games on a trot in the T20 World Cup, the Proteas will face their toughest test in the form of another unbeaten side, New Zealand. The high-octane match takes place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

South Africa defeated Canada in a one-sided fixture to kick-start their World Cup campaign, but the team had a stumbling block against the Afghans as the winner of the match was decided after two Super Overs, and the Proteas prevailed in a gruelling contest.

However, despite the victories, the team has chinks in its armour, and the Proteas squad might look to make a couple of key changes for their blockbuster match vs New Zealand on Saturday. Hence, here is South Africa’s probable XI for their next epic battle.

South Africa playing XI Vs New Zealand- Match 24, T20 World Cup 2026

Openers and Top order: Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton

South Africa has the most settled top order out of all the 20 teams in the World Cup. In Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Ryan Rickelton, the Proteas have a destructive top three, and all of them are in rich vein of form as the trio is heading into the clash on the back of stellar performances.

All three provide something different as Markram at the top provides solidarity, de Kock has a great mixture of attacking and mindful cricket, and Rickelton is an all-out attack player.

Middle order and all-rounders: Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch

The team has a great combination of players who can attack from ball one, and the likes of Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen will provide just that. The four players have done well in the ongoing World Cup, and the Kiwis will need to find a way to tackle them.

However, the team could make one change in the all-rounders’ spot, with Corbin Bosch coming back and George Linde going out. The surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium won’t offer much for the spinners in the night game, and Bosch’s extra pace could come in handy.

(Linde vs Afghanistan)

• He bowled 18 deliveries against the Afghans, and conceded 39 runs, with an economy of 13. He managed to take a solitary wicket, but the spinner was taken apart in the day game by the Asian side.
• Bosch is a better batter than Linde, and can be deceptive under lights in Ahmedabad, and hence, the team might look to add him in the playing XI.

Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj

Kagiso Rabada had a horrendous performance against Afghanistan as the batters took him down easily and he looked a pale shadow of his former self. So far, he has 2 wickets in the tournament, but the economy has been on the higher side.

(Rabada in T20 WC 2026)

• Rabada has played in the opening two fixtures, and has taken just two wickets, with an economy touching 10.17. He has been on the expensive side, and the team might look to add Anrich Nortje in place of him for the Kiwi clash.
• The man in-form, Lungi Ngidi will spearhead the bowling attack, and Keshav Maharaj will be the leader of the spin department.

South Africa likely playing XI Vs New Zealand

Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi