T20 World Cup 2026 results: South Africa beat Zimbabwe to qualify for the New Zealand semi-finals

South Africa produced an unconvincing performance with the bat but beat Zimbabwe by five wickets to qualify for the semi-final against New Zealand.

An 18-ball 42 from Dewald Preves in the fourth over proved decisive as the wickets tumbled in South Africa’s chase of 154 before George Linde (30 off 21) and Tristan Stubbs (21 off 24) saw them over the line with 13 balls to spare.

South Africa, who have won all seven of their matches in this tournament, are looking for their first T20 World Cup title after previously reaching the final in 2024.

The result also confirms that England, who finished top of Group B in the Super 8s, will face India or the West Indies in the quarter-finals as neither team will be able to match South Africa’s tally of six points.

They meet in the Super 8 final at 1:30 GMT, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.

After restricting Zimbabwe to 153-7, South Africa lost three wickets inside the Powerplay, with Sikandar Raza (3-29) removing openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram for single-figure scores and Ryan Rickelton for 31 (22).

From 43-3, Brevis combined with David Miller (22 off 16) facing the fourth wicket for 50 runs off 25 balls to break the back of the chase before both batsmen fell in the space of five deliveries to set up a nervous finish with 53 runs required off 56 balls.

Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Raza was a thorn in South Africa’s side with the bat, scoring 73 runs (34), including eight fours and four sixes. Clive Madande (26 not out) was the second highest run-scorer, chipping in a few late boundaries to take Zimbabwe past 150.

Teenager fast Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-21.