With the T20 World Cup coming up South Africa host West Indies in a 3 match series, the first contest takes place in Paarl on Tuesday and we take a look at form, the squads and the all important betting.
The Proteas will contest Group D in next months World Cup where they will come up against Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand and the UAE. Meanwhile West Indies are drawn in Group C and they will take on Scotland, England, Nepal and Italy.
This is a 3 match series with the second contest taking place at Centurion on Thursday and we finish up at The Wanderers at the weekend. Let’s start with the squads.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Rubin Hermann, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs
West Indies: tbc
South Africa Recent Form
South Africa were in India for a 5 match series in December and they lost 3-1 with one match washed out.
The Proteas tour of Pakistan in October / November saw them win the first o 3 matches but Pakistan hit back to the series 2-1.
Prior to that an under-strength Proteas side were surprisingly beaten by Namibia in a one off contest in Windhoek. A 3 match series in England in September was shared 1-1 with the decider washed out whilst in August the Proteas lost 2-1 in Australia.
West Indies Recent Form
West Indies arrive on the back of a 2-1 series defeat against Afghanistan in Dubai, they lost the first 2 matches (38 runs and then 39 runs) before winning the final contest (15 runs).
They were in New Zealand in November where they won the opening match but went on to lose 3-1 with one game washed out.
In October West Indies completed a 3-0 clean sweep on their tour of Bangladesh.
Recent Head to Head
West Indies have won 6 of the last 7 head to heads in this format, most recently winning 3-0 in Tarouba in August 2024.
Overall the teams have met 26 times in this format with South Africa winning 12 to West Indies 14.
The Venue, Boland Park, Paarl
The only T20 international staged at Boland Park saw the Proteas lose to England by 4 wickets in November 2020.
We have just the SA20 conclude and of 5 matches staged at Paarl the highest run chase total was Paarl Royals 191/4 to overhaul the Durban super Giants (186/5) on the 13th January. The lowest total was Paarl Royals 49 all out in reply to the Sunrisers total of 186/4 in the first of the 5 mtches to be staged here.
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The Betting
Betway have South Africa at 0.27/1 to win the game with West Indies currently trading at 29/10
The total sixes line is under / over 16.5
The Proteas are 9/10 to clear the ropes more times than Windies who are 12/10 with a tie at 15/2
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
A very low key build up to this one and I have been battling to get confirmed West Indies squad details. However my first pick (others may be added on our forum) is to go with Shamar Springer to be top bowler for the visitors. Springer claimed a hat trick in his 4 wicket haul in the final game against Afghanistan recently so won’t be lacking in confidence.
Bets: Top West Indies Bowler Shamar Springer at 3.75/1 with Pokerbet
Prices subject to change