South Africa Stay Unbeaten, Outclass UAE to Seal Super Eights Spot

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : South Africa underlined their status as one of the most formidable sides in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates cricket team in their final Group D match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. The win ensured the Proteas advanced to the Super Eights as the only unbeaten team in their group, finishing the league stage with four wins from four matches.

South Africa will now face defending champions India national cricket team in a high-profile Super Eights opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, a clash eagerly anticipated by fans and pundits alike.

Under overcast conditions and with the floodlights switched on, South Africa’s fast bowlers exploited the helpful surface brilliantly. Corbin Bosch led the charge with an incisive spell of 3 for 12, making full use of the damp pitch and well-directed short balls. He was ably supported by Anrich Nortje, who claimed 2 for 28, while left-arm spinner George Linde maintained relentless pressure with figures of 1 for 17. After a promising start, the UAE innings lost momentum and eventually closed at 122 for 6.

Asked to bat first, the UAE began positively despite Kagiso Rabada generating pace and bounce early on. Opener Aryansh Sharma top-edged Rabada for a six in the opening over, while Muhammad Waseem counterattacked with three consecutive boundaries. The pair put on 36 runs for the first wicket before Linde broke through in the fifth over, trapping Waseem lbw for 22.

Bosch then tightened the screws, dismissing Aryansh with a sharp short ball that was top-edged to Quinton de Kock. Bosch struck again soon after, removing the in-form Sohaib Khan, who edged behind. Nortje and Linde continued to suffocate the middle order, with Linde accounting for Syed Haider.

Amid the wickets, Alishan Sharafu provided resistance and entertainment for the 14,400 spectators, striking five fours and a six in a fluent 45 off 38 balls. Despite enjoying a couple of reprieves, Sharafu’s innings ended when Nortje induced a pull to mid-wicket, where the catch was safely taken. Bosch returned to dismiss Muhammad Arfan, ensuring the UAE failed to finish strongly, managing just 25 runs in the final five overs.

South Africa’s reply began after a 45-minute rain delay. Aiden Markram set the tone with a blistering 28 off just 11 balls, dismantling the bowling with a flurry of boundaries and a six. Although Markram fell early, his aggression effectively put the contest beyond doubt.

De Kock and Ryan Rickelton kept the tempo high, before Rickelton anchored the chase with a composed 30 off 16 balls. The spotlight then shifted to Dewald Brevis, whose explosive 36 off 25 balls lit up the stadium. Brevis struck three towering sixes and a four, drawing gasps from the crowd with his fearless strokeplay.

Though both Rickelton and Brevis departed before the finish, the target was already within easy reach. Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith calmly completed the chase, as South Africa reached 123 for 4 with plenty of overs to spare, despite dropping four catches in the field earlier.

The victory capped a flawless group-stage campaign for the Proteas, who now head into the Super Eights brimming with confidence. With their bowling firing in unison and batting depth on full display, South Africa have sent a clear message to their rivals: they are ready to challenge strongly for the world title.

Brief Scores: UAE 122/6 in 20 overs (Alishan Sharafu 45, Muhammad Waseem 22; Corbin Bosch 3-12, Anrich Nortje 2-28) lost to South Africa 123/4 in 15.4 overs (Dewald Brevis 36, Ryan Rickelton 30) by six wickets.