South Africa are set to lock horns with the West Indies in the first T20I of the three-match series at Boland Park in Paarl on Tuesday, January 27. This series serves as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which is just around the corner.
The West Indies enter this contest looking to bounce back after a 2-1 series loss to Afghanistan. Shai Hope’s side will be eager to test their bench strength and finalise their combinations. South Africa, under Aiden Markram, will look to exploit home conditions and gain momentum.
This article provides a detailed preview of the SA vs WI 1st T20I, covering free live streaming details, pitch and weather reports, head-to-head records, and key stats.
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SA vs WI 1st T20I Preview:
Date and Venue: The Boland Park in Paarl will host the first T20I of the series between South Africa and the West Indies on Tuesday, January 27.
SA vs WI Squads:
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Rubin Hermann, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.
West Indies Squad (Predicted): Shai Hope (Captain), Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph.
SA vs WI Probable XIs:
South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi.
West Indies Playing XI: Brandon King, Johnson Charles (wk), Shai Hope (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
SA vs WI 1st T20I Key battles:
Kagiso Rabada vs Brandon King
Kagiso Rabada is the leader of South Africa’s bowling attack. He can generate extra bounce and movement with the new ball, which makes him dangerous in the powerplay. Rabada will aim to take an early wicket and expose the West Indies’ middle order.
Brandon King plays pace well and likes the ball coming onto the bat. However, Rabada’s accuracy outside the off stump will test his technique. If King survives the opening spell, he has the range of shots to score freely.
Gudakesh Motie vs Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram is a reliable player of spin and plays an important role in holding South Africa’s innings together. He prefers to rotate strike and keep the scoreboard moving in the middle overs.
Gudakesh Motie has impressed with his control and smart variations. On a Paarl pitch that may offer some grip, Motie will look to slow the scoring and force Markram into errors. Markram will need patience and good shot selection to handle the spin.
Marco Jansen vs Johnson Charles
Marco Jansen creates problems with his height and left-arm angle. He can swing the ball into right-handers or get steep bounce, which makes him difficult to line up in the powerplay.
Johnson Charles is known for his aggressive approach and likes to attack from the start. He will look to target Jansen early to make the most of fielding restrictions. This matchup is a battle between bounce and raw hitting power.
Shamar Joseph vs Quinton de Kock
Shamar Joseph brings high pace and energy to the West Indies attack. He bowls hard lengths and is not afraid to challenge batters with short balls or yorkers.
Quinton de Kock thrives against fast bowling and looks to use the pace of the ball to find gaps. However, Joseph’s skiddy pace and attacking lines mean de Kock will need to be careful early, as one sharp delivery could put him under pressure.
SA vs WI 1st T20I Key Players:
South Africa – Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen
West Indies – Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
SA vs WI 1st T20I – Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details
TV Broadcast in India: The first T20I between South Africa and the West Indies will be broadcast live across India on the Sony Sports Network.
Online Live Streaming in India: Fans can watch the match live on the SonyLIV app and website. An active subscription may be required.
Match Date: The first T20I will be played on Tuesday, January 27.
Venue: The match will take place at Boland Park in Paarl.
How to Watch on Television: Viewers can tune in to Sony Sports Network channels for the live telecast of the SA vs WI first T20I.
How to Watch Online on Mobile and Web: Live streaming will be available via the SonyLIV platform on mobile devices and web browsers.
SA vs WI 1st T20I Weather and Pitch Report – Paarl
SA vs WI: Weather Report in Paarl:
The weather in Paarl for the first T20I is expected to remain favourable for cricket. Conditions should feature plenty of sunshine, with temperatures around 32°C during the day before dropping to about 14°C at night.
There is virtually no rain forecast on match day, ensuring a full 40-over contest without interruptions. Humidity levels will be moderate, though players may feel the heat in the first innings before conditions cool slightly under the lights.
SA vs WI Pitch Report at Boland Park:
Boland Park is generally known to offer a balanced surface. The new ball comes onto the bat nicely, allowing stroke play in the powerplay. However, the pitch tends to slow down as the game goes on, bringing spinners and cutters into play.
A score of around 160-170 is considered par at this venue. Chasing can be tricky if the surface grips, so the captain winning the toss may look to bat first.
The average first-innings score in T20s is 137. If dew comes in under the lights, the ball is likely to skid onto the bat better in the second innings, reducing the spinners’ threat and prompting the winning captain to bowl first.
SA vs WI Head-to-Head Records
| Stats | Matches | SA Won | WI Won | Draw | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 26 | 12 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In South Africa | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 5 T20Is | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SA vs WI Head-to-Head Records: Key Statistics
As per ESPNcricinfo, South Africa and the West Indies have played each other 26 times in T20Is. The West Indies have won 14 matches, while South Africa have secured 12 victories.
In matches played in South Africa, the two sides have met nine times. Notably, South Africa have managed four victories at home, while the West Indies have dominated the Proteas with five wins.
SA vs WI Head-to-Head Records: Last 5 Matches
The West Indies have enjoyed strong results in recent T20I meetings against South Africa, winning four of the last five matches. In their most recent series in August 2024, the Windies were dominant, completing a 3-0 clean sweep in Tarouba.
However, South Africa claimed the most important win. In the 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash in North Sound, the Proteas defeated the West Indies by three wickets to knock the hosts out of the tournament. Before the World Cup, the Windies had beaten South Africa by 8 wickets in Kingston.
SA vs WI Head-to-Head Records- Result of the last 5 games:
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West Indies won by 8 wickets in Tarouba on August 27, 2024
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West Indies won by 30 runs in Tarouba on August 25, 2024
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West Indies won by 7 wickets in Tarouba on August 23, 2024
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South Africa won by 3 wickets in North Sound on June 23, 2024
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West Indies won by 8 wickets in Kingston on May 26, 2024
SA vs WI 1st T20I – Conclusion:
The first T20I of the three-match series between South Africa and the West Indies at Boland Park could hinge on conditions. Scoreboard pressure may matter if the pitch slows as the match progresses.
South Africa will rely on home conditions and the experience of senior players such as Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Quinton de Kock. Their bowling unit looks stronger on paper with the presence of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
The West Indies arrive with questions after a recent loss to Afghanistan, but their explosive batting and spin options suit conditions in Paarl. While inconsistency remains a concern, their power-hitters can change the game in a matter of overs, and their spinners are well-suited to the Paarl wicket.
Overall, South Africa hold a narrow edge due to home advantage and bowling depth, but a close contest is expected if the West Indies’ batters find rhythm.
With the World Cup approaching, both teams will look to make a statement and start the series on a winning note in Paarl. The first match will set the tone for the remaining two games in the series.
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