It is a rematch of the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final as South Africa will take on New Zealand in Kolkata in the first semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup. New Zealand had won that game, but South Africa had been in terrific form of late. They are the only unbeaten side in the tournament, while New Zealand’s form has been iffy. Their last game against England was poor, and they needed help from Sri Lanka to qualify for the semis, while South Africa has been thrashing their opponents.
South Africa and New Zealand have been involved in some thrilling encounters in the past and the first semi-final in Kolkata promises to be another cracker. The game is on 4th March and now let us have a look at the highest run-scorers in T20Is between South Africa and New Zealand.
Most runs for New Zealand against South Africa in T20Is
1: Martin Guptill - 424 runs
Martin Guptill has a terrific record against the South Africans. He has played 10 innings against them and has scored 424 runs at an average of 53.00 and a strike rate of 132.91. He has scored two fifties against them and a century. His highest score is an unbeaten 101, which he scored in East London in 2012.
2: Brendon McCullum - 248 runs
The current head coach of England, Brendon McCullum, was a legend for New Zealand and was known to provide great starts for them. He also loved playing against South Africa. In 12 innings, McCullum scored 248 runs at a strike rate of 112 and has scored one fifty against them.
3: Kane Williamson - 189 runs
Kane Williamson, one of the finest to grace the game, has scored 189 runs against South Africa in T20Is. He averages 31.50 against them and has a strike rate of 138.97. His highest score is 51 against them which he scored in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Most runs for South Africa against New Zealand in T20Is
1: AB de Villiers - 270 runs
Mr. 360, as AB de Villiers is so fondly called, is the highest run-scorer for South Africa against New Zealand in T20Is. He has scored 270 runs against them in 11 innings at an average of 33.75 and a strike rate of 119.46.
2: JP Duminy - 256 runs
One player who has really done well against the Kiwis is JP Duminy. In 6 innings, Duminy has scored 256 runs at an average of 51.20 and a strike rate of 162.02. His highest score against the Black Caps is 86*, which he scored in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
3: Hashim Amla - 219 runs
The former South African batter, Hashim Amla, is the third-highest run-scorer for South Africa against New Zealand in T20Is. In seven innings, Amla scored 219 runs at an average of 31.28 and a strike rate of 123.72. He registered one fifty against them, having scored 62 in 2017 in Auckland.
