South Africa begin their T20 World Cup Super Eight campaign against India on Sunday in the knowledge that many seasoned observers believe they represent the biggest threat to the tournament hosts and favourites after a perfect 4-0 record in the Group stages.
The ICC’s decision to pre-seed teams in the Group stages has, bizarrely, left all four unbeaten teams from the first round in the same Super Eight group while the four runners-up are in the second group of four teams.
It means South Africa will play in-form West Indies on Thursday and Zimbabwe on Sunday while England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand comprise the second group.
Criticism of the seeding system has been widespread with much sympathy directed towards giant-killers Zimbabwe who find themselves in the ‘top’ group after beating both Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka.
The format was devised purely for ease of logistics but critics have pointed out that no global tournaments in other sports do likewise and say that the comptetition’s integrity has been compromised. The top two teams from each Super Eight group will contest the semifinals.
Ready For The Next Challenge! 💥#TheProteas charge into the SUPER 8 phase of the #T20WorldCup with momentum, belief, and one goal in sight. 🏆🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 18, 2026
Every game from here is sharper. Every moment bigger. It’s time to raise the level. 😤#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/Ky6LB6fNht
The Proteas received a vote of confidence earlier this week from a man who knows more about the eight teams in the Super Eights than most. Mickey Arthur has coached three of them and has watched the tournament closely from his base in England where he is Director of Cricket at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
He watched Pathum Nissanka score a stunning 100* from 52 balls to help Sri Lanka eliminate Australia at the Group Stage – both teams he has coached – and has kept an especially close eye Pakistan and South Africa, the other two teams has coached.
“I gave Pathum his international debut so it was quite emotional seeing him show the world the amount of talent he has. It’s always a little bit emotional watching Pakistan play, you never quite know what you’re going to get.
"One day they can be brilliant, as good as anyone, but on another day they can be, well, just Pakistan,” Arthur said.
Next match! 🔜🏏#TheProteas go head to head with hosts and defending champions India as our Super 8 journey begins in the #T20WorldCup on Sunday. 💥🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 19, 2026
Unbeaten so far and full of belief, we look to build on that momentum and take another bold step forward on the global stage.… pic.twitter.com/WhVWCxZxL6
“But my heart will always be closest to South Africa and I really do believe this could be their year. You get a feeling by the way players and teams hold themselves during matches, especially when the pressure is on. They looked calm and determined against Afghanistan and they were pretty ruthless against New Zealand.
“South Africa have a core of really experienced guys but also just the right amount of young blood. They have the bases covered and, although India will probably beat everyone else in a bilateral series, one-off games in World Cups are very different beasts.
"The first Super Eight games aren’t actually knockout games, but they will feel like knockout games to the players. Nobody wants to lose that first one,” Arthur said.
The Proteas have made Ahmedabad their home ground at the #T20WorldCup 🏏#SSCricket pic.twitter.com/bRCUMCq4Uz
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 20, 2026
The solitary ‘base’ which is not covered in the Proteas’ 15-man squad may be exposed on Sunday. With India fielding as many as six left-handers in their top eight, South Africa’s lack of a specialist offspinner turning the ball away from them could prove costly – unless captain Aiden Markram can rise to the challenge.
Asked about the omission of an offspinner before the tournament, selection convenor Patrick Moroney said, “We are confident that we have the resources to handle all situations.”
SA Super Eight fixtures:
Sunday Feb 22: v India (Ahmedabad), 3:30pm SA time
Thursday Feb 26: v West Indies (Ahmedabad), 11:30am SA time
Sunday Mar 1: v Zimbabwe (Delhi), 11:30am SA time.