West Indies tour of South Africa, 2026

South Africa vs West Indies, 3rd T20I

Saturday, January 31, 2026
09:30 PM IST
South Africa cricket

South Africa

vs
West indies Cricket

West Indies

Match Prediction

The 3rd T20I between South Africa and West Indies at The Wanderers Stadium promises an exhilarating contest as the series hangs in the balance. South Africa come into this match buoyed by strong performances at home, showing consistent form with both their batting and bowling units firing effectively in the limited overs format. Their recent T20 outings have showcased the depth in their squad, with aggressive top-order batsmen setting solid platforms and a versatile bowling attack adapting well to conditions. Conversely, West Indies have been impressive in patches, with their explosive batting arsenal causing significant damage in the powerplay overs. However, their bowling has occasionally lacked consistency, especially on South African pitches that tend to offer pace and bounce. Head-to-head, South Africa hold a slight edge in T20 cricket at home, but West Indies’ explosive style means they cannot be underestimated. Key players like South African captain and all-rounder have been instrumental in setting the tone, while the likes of West Indies powerhouse batsmen have consistently delivered hard-hitting performances. The Wanderers pitch typically favors stroke-play but can provide assistance to fast bowlers early on, suggesting both sides will look to capitalize on their strengths. Strategically, South Africa will aim for tight, disciplined bowling and aggressive chasing capabilities. West Indies will likely focus on maximizing powerplay overs and trying to unsettle South African batters with pace and variations. With both sides evenly matched in skill and determination, the game could go either way but South Africa’s home advantage may play a crucial role.

South Africa: 57%, West Indies: 43% - AI suggested match winner

Score Prediction

If South Africa bat first, a competitive total of around 165-175 runs is expected given the fast outfield and batting-friendly pitch at The Wanderers. Their strong top order can exploit the early overs, while middle order finishers can push the score beyond 170. On the other hand, if West Indies bat first, their natural attacking style and power hitters can propel the score to a similar range of 160-175. However, inconsistent death bowling might limit them from going beyond 180. Overall, a first innings total in the 165-175 bracket looks par for the course considering pitch conditions and team strengths.

The Wanderers Stadium - Pitch Report

The Wanderers Stadium is known for its fast and bouncy wicket, which generally aids pace bowlers initially while being conducive to stroke-play once the ball gets older. The average first innings score here in T20s is around 165, with chasing teams winning approximately 54% of the time. Weather forecasts indicate clear skies and mild temperature, ideal for a full game without interruptions. Best Bowler at this ground between these teams is South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, who has consistently taken wickets at a good economy rate. Best Batsman is West Indies' Nicholas Pooran, who has delivered match-winning innings here. The highest individual score recorded by a player from these two sides at The Wanderers is 87* by Quinton de Kock.
Our betting tips for this match
Back South Africa to win with a probability of placed bets over 50% given home advantage and consistent form.
Consider betting on the ‘Most Sixes’ market heavily favoring West Indies’ power hitters like Shimron Hetmyer.
Look for value in the ‘Top Bowler’ market on Kagiso Rabada given predictable bounce and pace from the Wanderers pitch.

South Africa vs West Indies - Head to Head Record in T20

Matches PlayedSouth Africa WinsWest Indies Wins
251411

Team Recent Performance

MatchSouth AfricaWest Indies
Last 5 MatchesW, L, W, W, LL, W, L, W, W

Players to Watch

Quinton de Kock – South Africa's star wicketkeeper-batsman has been pivotal at the top order with consistent starts and explosive acceleration in recent games.

Kagiso Rabada – Known for his lethal pace and death over expertise, Rabada has taken vital wickets and maintained a tight economy this series.

Rashid Khan – Though primarily a spinner, his variations and control have troubled batters, making him a key player for South Africa's bowling attack.

Nicholas Pooran – West Indies’ dynamic middle order batsman, Pooran has delivered some powerful innings lately, influencing match outcomes decisively.

Shimron Hetmyer – A destructive batsman who can clear boundaries at will, Hetmyer adds explosive firepower to West Indies’ batting lineup.

Alzarri Joseph – West Indies pacer who has impressed with his pace and ability to pick up early wickets in the powerplay overs.