The South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 promises fireworks at SuperSport Park, Centurion. With South Africa leading 1-0 after a commanding 9-wicket victory in Paarl, the Proteas aim to seal the series, while the West Indies fight to stay alive in this crucial three-match contest. As both teams gear up for the ICC T20 World Cup later in 2026, this SA vs WI 2nd T20I at Centurion offers high-stakes drama, explosive batting, and fierce pace bowling under the Highveld lights.
Cricket fans across South Africa and the Caribbean are buzzing. Will the Proteas’ strengthened lineup dominate again, or can the West Indies unleash their trademark Caribbean flair to level the series? This comprehensive preview dives deep into everything you need: SuperSport Park Centurion pitch report, team news, probable playing XIs, key battles, head-to-head records, and an expert prediction for who will win the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026.
Why This Match is Crucial for Both Teams
The West Indies tour of South Africa 2026 is more than a bilateral series—it’s vital preparation for the T20 World Cup. South Africa, under white-ball captain Aiden Markram, are building momentum after their dominant start in Paarl. That 9-wicket thrashing highlighted their depth, even without some rested stars. A series win here would mark a strong statement and boost confidence heading into the global tournament.
For the West Indies, the stakes are survival. After a disappointing loss in the opener, they need a win to avoid falling 2-0 behind and keep the series alive heading into the decider in Johannesburg. Shai Hope’s side has the firepower—think explosive openers and powerful middle-order hitters—but consistency has eluded them recently. A victory at Centurion would not only level things but also reignite their T20 World Cup hopes.
Match Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 |
| Date | January 29, 2026 |
| Time | 6:00 PM Local Time (9:30 PM IST) |
| Venue | SuperSport Park, Centurion |
| Series Status | South Africa lead 1-0 |
| Broadcast/Streaming | Available on major sports networks and apps (check local listings for South Africa vs West Indies live streaming) |
This evening start means dew could play a role, often favoring the chasing side. Expect a sell-out crowd of over 22,000 at one of South Africa’s premier venues.
Series So Far: Recap of the 1st T20I
In the opener at Boland Park, Paarl, West Indies posted a competitive total but crumbled under South Africa’s clinical chase. The Proteas hunted down the target with overs to spare, thanks to solid contributions from their top order and a disciplined bowling attack. Key takeaways: South Africa’s depth shone through, while West Indies struggled to accelerate in the middle overs.
Now, with rested stars returning for the hosts and West Indies welcoming back key players, the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I at Centurion feels wide open. Can the Caribbean side bounce back on a venue known for high scores? Or will home advantage prove decisive once more?
SuperSport Park, Centurion: Venue Guide, Pitch Report & T20I Records
SuperSport Park in Centurion is a cricketing gem nestled in the Highveld region. With a capacity of around 22,000, it features two iconic ends—the Pavilion End and the Hennops River End. The ground is home to the Titans in domestic cricket and has hosted countless memorable internationals.
What Makes SuperSport Park Special?
The venue is renowned for its fast, bouncy pitches that offer true pace and carry—perfect for stroke-makers and seam bowlers alike. The altitude (around 1,450 meters above sea level) aids extra bounce and helps the ball travel faster off the bat. Outfield is lightning-quick, turning good shots into boundaries.
In T20Is, SuperSport Park has produced some thrilling contests. The most famous? The 2023 epic where West Indies smashed 258/5, only for South Africa to chase down 259/4—the highest successful T20I chase ever.
Key T20I Records at SuperSport Park, Centurion
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Total T20Is Played | 12+ (including recent matches) |
| Highest Team Total | West Indies: 258/5 (2023 vs South Africa) |
| Highest Successful Chase | South Africa: 259/4 (2023 vs West Indies) |
| Lowest Total Defended | Around 140-150 in tighter games |
| Average 1st Innings Score | ~170-180 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | ~160-170 |
| Wins Batting First | ~50% |
| Wins Chasing | ~50% (dew often helps chasers in night games) |
Recent SA20 league games at the venue have seen multiple totals above 200, reinforcing its reputation as a batting paradise once the ball gets older. Pacers dominate early (over 70% wickets), but spinners can find grip later.
Highest Individual Scores in T20Is at Centurion
| Player | Score | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 100 | South Africa | Various | Recent |
| Reeza Hendricks | 117 | South Africa | Various | Recent |
| Others (e.g., Babar Azam in past) | High 90s-120 | – | – | – |
The SuperSport Park T20I records scream excitement—expect another run-fest in this SA vs WI 2nd T20I 2026.
For more venue stats visit ESPNcricinfo!
Pitch Report, Dew Factor & Weather Forecast: What to Expect at SuperSport Park
The SuperSport Park Centurion pitch report for this match points to a typical Highveld track: hard, bouncy, and full of runs. Early movement for pacers with the new ball, extra carry that can trouble batters initially, but it flattens out beautifully as the innings progresses. Once set, batters can dominate, with short boundaries and fast outfield aiding big hits.
Key Pitch Characteristics
- Pace and Bounce: Ideal for tall fast bowlers like Marco Jansen or Shamar Joseph.
- Batting-Friendly Later: Middle overs favor spinners minimally; death overs explode with sixes.
- Historical Trend: High-scoring—totals of 180+ are par, 200+ very gettable.
Dew Factor in Centurion T20I
Evening matches at SuperSport Park often see heavy dew, making the ball skiddy and tough for bowlers in the second innings. Grip becomes an issue, reducing spin and swing. Captains winning the toss usually bowl first—chasing has been advantageous in night games here.
Weather Forecast for January 29, 2026
Typical Gauteng summer: warm (25-30°C), humid, with a chance of afternoon thundershowers. Forecasts suggest any storms will clear by evening, leaving perfect playing conditions under floodlights. No major interruptions expected.
Expected Game Scenario
A score of 180-200 could be competitive if batting first. With dew, 220+ might be chased. Pacers will rule early, but power-hitters like Dewald Brevis or Shimron Hetmyer could steal the show. This SuperSport Park pitch report 2026 screams a high-scoring thriller—perfect for T20 fans!
Factors Influencing the Game
| Factor | Impact on Match |
|---|---|
| Pitch Bounce | Favors pacers early, batters later |
| Dew | Strong advantage to team chasing |
| Altitude | Ball travels further, more boundaries |
| Weather | Clear evening likely, full 40 overs |
| Toss | Bowl first preferred in 70%+ recent night games |
Team News, Squads & Probable Playing XI: SA vs WI 2nd T20I
Big team news heading into the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I: Several South African stars rested for the opener return, bolstering their already strong side. Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi are all available, adding firepower.
West Indies welcome back Shai Hope (captain and wicket-keeper) and pace sensation Shamar Joseph, aiming to strengthen batting depth and bowling attack.
South Africa Team News
- Returns: de Kock (explosive opener), Jansen (left-arm pace), Nortje (express speed), Ngidi (control).
- Focus: Middle-order looks settled with young guns like Dewald Brevis thriving at his home ground.
South Africa Full Squad
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, and others.
Probable Playing XI for South Africa
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinton de Kock (wk) | Opener |
| 2 | Ryan Rickelton | Opener |
| 3 | Aiden Markram (c) | Top/Middle Order |
| 4 | Dewald Brevis | Middle Order |
| 5 | Heinrich Klaasen | Middle Order/Finisher |
| 6 | Corbin Bosch | All-Rounder |
| 7 | Marco Jansen | All-Rounder |
| 8 | George Linde | Spinner/All-Rounder |
| 9 | Anrich Nortje | Pacer |
| 10 | Kagiso Rabada | Pacer |
| 11 | Lungi Ngidi | Pacer |
Strengths: Unmatched pace depth, explosive top order.
West Indies Team News
- Returns: Shai Hope (leadership and keeping), Shamar Joseph (raw pace).
- Concerns: Need middle-order to fire after quiet opener.
West Indies Full Squad
Shai Hope (c/wk), Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell (if fit), Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and others.
Probable Playing XI for West Indies
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon King | Opener |
| 2 | Johnson Charles | Opener |
| 3 | Shai Hope (c/wk) | Top Order |
| 4 | Roston Chase | All-Rounder |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer | Middle Order |
| 6 | Rovman Powell | Middle Order/Finisher |
| 7 | Andre Russell | All-Rounder |
| 8 | Akeal Hosein | Spinner |
| 9 | Alzarri Joseph | Pacer |
| 10 | Shamar Joseph | Pacer |
| 11 | Gudakesh Motie | Spinner |
Strengths: Explosive batting if it clicks; varied bowling.
The SA vs WI playing XI looks stacked—expect intense battles!
Players to Watch: Key Battles & In-Form Stars in SA vs WI 2nd T20I
This matchup is loaded with stars. Here’s who could decide the game.
South Africa Stars
- Quinton de Kock: Nearing milestones, destructive at the top.
- Dewald Brevis: “Baby AB”—fresh off SA20 heroics, loves Centurion.
- Aiden Markram: Captain cool, in fine touch.
- Anrich Nortje: Back to express pace, terrifying on bouncy tracks.
- George Linde: Surprise package from opener with wickets.
West Indies Stars
- Shimron Hetmyer & Rovman Powell: Middle-order muscle needed desperately.
- Shamar Joseph: Emerging pace star—could exploit bounce.
- Roston Chase: Handy all-rounder for control.
Key Battles to Watch
- SA Pacers (Nortje, Rabada, Jansen) vs WI Middle Order (Hetmyer, Powell): Highveld bounce could rattle the Caribbean hitters.
- de Kock/Brevis vs Shamar Joseph/Alzarri: New ball fireworks.
- Spinners (Linde/Shamsi vs Hosein/Motie): Who controls the middle overs?
Can Brevis explode at his home ground? Will Hetmyer finally fire? These players to watch in SA vs WI could turn the tide.
Head-to-Head Records, Recent Form & Series Implications
SA vs WI T20I Head-to-Head
| Statistic | South Africa | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | ~27 | |
| Wins | 13 | 14 |
| At Centurion | SA dominant in recent | |
| Last 5 Matches | SA W W L W L | |
| Highest Total (WI) | 258/5 | |
| Highest Total (SA) | 259/4 |
That 2023 Centurion run-fest remains etched in memory.
Recent Form (Last 5 T20Is)
South Africa: W (vs WI 1st), L, L, W, L – Building under Markram.
West Indies: L (vs SA 1st), W, L, L, L – Struggling for consistency.
A South Africa win seals the series—their first under new leadership dynamics. For West Indies, it’s must-win to force a decider and build World Cup momentum.
Who Will Win SA vs WI 2nd T20I 2026? Prediction & Key Factors
South Africa enter as clear favorites—around 60-65% chance. Home advantage, superior pace attack, returned stars, and venue familiarity tilt the scales.
Key Factors Favoring South Africa
- Depth in bowling, especially pace.
- Strong record at Centurion.
- Dew advantage if chasing.
Upset Scenarios for West Indies
- If top order explodes early.
- Shamar Joseph runs riot with bounce.
- Dew neutralized somehow.
Bold Prediction: South Africa win by 20-30 runs or 7-8 wickets if chasing. Expect 350+ combined runs—another Centurion classic!
In conclusion, the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 is set to deliver T20 entertainment at its finest. Whether you’re a Proteas die-hard or backing the Calypso Kings, tune in for what promises to be a memorable night at SuperSport Park. Share your predictions in the comments—who’s taking this one?
FAQs: South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026
- What is the date and time of the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? The South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 scheduled for January 29, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM local time (9:30 PM IST) at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
- Where is the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 being played? South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 The match will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion, a high-altitude venue known for fast, bouncy pitches and high-scoring T20I games.
- What is the SuperSport Park Centurion pitch report for SA vs WI 2nd T20I 2026? The SuperSport Park Centurion pitch report indicates a typical Highveld track: hard, bouncy with extra pace and carry early on. It flattens later, becoming a batting paradise with average first-innings scores around 170-180 and potential for 200+ totals.
- What is the current series status ahead of South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? South Africa lead 1-0 after a dominant 9-wicket win in the first T20I at Paarl. The Proteas aim to seal the series, while West Indies fight to level it.
- Who will win the SA vs WI 2nd T20I 2026 at Centurion? South Africa are favorites with a 60-65% chance due to home advantage, strengthened pace attack, and venue familiarity. However, West Indies can upset if their batting clicks on this high-scoring ground.
- What is the dew factor in the South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I at SuperSport Park? Dew is expected in this evening game, making the ball skiddy and favoring the chasing side. Captains often prefer to bowl first at Centurion night matches.
- What are the probable playing XIs for SA vs WI 2nd T20I 2026? South Africa probable XI: de Kock (wk), Rickelton, Markram (c), Brevis, Klaasen, Bosch, Jansen, Linde, Nortje, Rabada, Ngidi. West Indies probable XI: King, Charles, Hope (c/wk), Chase, Hetmyer, Powell, Russell, Hosein, A Joseph, S Joseph, Motie.
- What are the key T20I records at SuperSport Park Centurion? South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 SuperSport Park T20I records include the highest successful chase of 259/4 by South Africa against West Indies’ 258/5 in 2023—the venue’s most famous run-fest.
- Which players to watch in South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026? South Africa vs West Indies 2nd T20I 2026 Watch Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis for South Africa, plus Shimron Hetmyer and Shamar Joseph for West Indies. Key battles include SA pacers vs WI middle order.
- What is the head-to-head record between SA and WI in T20Is? In T20Is, West Indies lead slightly with 14 wins to South Africa’s 13. At Centurion, recent games have favored high-scoring thrillers.