PROTEAS TO FACE FORMER COACH WALTER IN KIWI WORLD CUP CLASH

THE Proteas may have escaped Ahmedabad with their unbeaten 2026 T20 World Cup record intact, but the double super over thriller against Afghanistan has exposed cracks that New Zealand will be eager to exploit at 3.30pm on Saturday.

Since former South Africa coach Rob Walter has taken over at New Zealand, the Proteas have yet to win a T20 match against the Black Caps, having lost three out of three during a tri-series in Zimbabwe last winter.

However, in all fairness, that series was Shukri Conrad’s first in international T20 cricket. Since then, the coach has settled into his role and so has his span, a feat that will most likely bode well for the Proteas on Saturday.

“It’s a tough group with New Zealand and Afghanistan. New Zealand is a different kettle of fish. They’ve got all their bases covered with spin, seam and powerful batting as well. So, it’ll be a good contest,” Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton told Independent Media.

“New Zealand are a lot more traditional, I think. So, I guess we know what to expect with regard to them. They are quite similar to us. But again, no teams are underrated. Everyone has a fair and really good chance at competing and beating every team here and winning the World Cup.

“So, no game will be taken lightly, but we’ll try not to delve too much into the opposition and try to focus on the things that we’re good at. We know we have a good side, and if we play to our potential and capability, then we hopefully will be on the right side of the result.”