South Africa completed the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with an unbeaten record after a commanding six-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their final Group D match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. The win capped a perfect campaign for the Proteas, who had already secured qualification for the Super Eight stage.
Put in to bat, the UAE posted a modest 122 for 6, with Alishan Sharafu top-scoring with 45 runs off 38 balls. The innings struggled to build significant partnerships, and South Africa’s pace attack, led by Corbin Bosch, restricted the UAE with impressive figures of 3 for 12. Anrich Nortje also supported effectively, taking 2 wickets for 28 runs, keeping the opposition well below a challenging total.
In reply, South Africa chased the target comfortably, reaching 123 for 4 in 13.2 overs, sealing the win with 40 balls to spare. Captain Aiden Markram provided a blistering start with 28 runs off 11 balls, while Dewald Brevis (36) and Ryan Rickelton (30) steadied the innings to ensure a smooth finish. The victory confirmed South Africa’s dominance in Group D, maintaining their unbeaten streak and sending a strong message ahead of the knockout rounds.
The UAE, despite some competitive moments, were unable to sustain momentum, leaving them out of contention for the next stage. South Africa’s balanced performance across batting and bowling highlights their readiness for tougher challenges in the Super Eight stage, making them one of the tournament favourites.