RSA vs WI 1st T20I Highlights: South Africa Beat West Indies by 9 Wickets
The South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I of the West Indies tour of South Africa 2026 produced an emphatic result at Boland Park, Paarl, as South Africa registered a dominant 9-wicket victory.
A clinical bowling effort followed by a masterclass chase, led by Aiden Markram, put the hosts firmly in control of the series.
Match Summary
| Match | RSA vs WI, 1st T20I |
|---|---|
| Series | West Indies tour of South Africa, 2026 |
| Venue | Boland Park, Paarl |
| Result | South Africa won by 9 wickets |
| Toss | South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl |
West Indies Innings – 173/7 (20 Overs)
Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive total of 173/7.
The innings was anchored by Shimron Hetmyer, who played a fluent knock under pressure, while Rovman Powell added the finishing touches.
Top Performers – West Indies
- Shimron Hetmyer – 48 (32)
- Rovman Powell – 29* (25)
- Brandon King – 27 (16)
Despite a brisk start, the Caribbean side lost momentum in the middle overs
as South Africa’s spinners tightened the screws.
South Africa Bowling: Spin Dominance
South Africa’s bowlers, especially the spinners, dictated terms.
George Linde and Keshav Maharaj
shared five wickets between them, restricting West Indies from crossing 180.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Linde | 4 | 25 | 3 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 4 | 44 | 2 |
| Corbin Bosch | 4 | 35 | 2 |
South Africa Chase – 176/1 (17.5 Overs)
Chasing 174, South Africa never looked under pressure.
An aggressive opening stand followed by a captain’s knock
sealed the contest with ease.
Star of the Chase
- Aiden Markram – 86* (47), Player of the Match
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius – 44 (28)
- Ryan Rickelton – 40* (32)
Markram’s innings was a perfect blend of timing and power,
as he dismantled the West Indies bowling attack across the ground.
Key Moments of RSA vs WI 1st T20I
- George Linde’s three-wicket spell in the middle overs
- Shimron Hetmyer’s counter-attacking fifty-run stand
- Markram–Pretorius powerplay dominance
- South Africa reaching the target with 13 balls to spare
What This Result Means
South Africa take a 1–0 lead in the T20I series,
sending a strong message with both bat and ball.
West Indies will need to reassess their bowling combinations
and death-over execution going forward.
Conclusion
The RSA vs WI 1st T20I showcased South Africa’s depth,
balance and home dominance.
With Aiden Markram leading from the front and the bowling unit firing in unison,
the hosts delivered a near-perfect performance to start the series on a high.