ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa vs Canada - team analysis, strengths and weaknesses

Despite mixed performances leading up to the tournament, including a series loss to India, South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, boasts a powerful squad with stars like Kagiso Rabada and Dewald Brevis.

South Africa will face Canada in their first match.

Last year's finalists of Africa will start their campaign in a group update as they face associate nation Canada in their first game in Ahmedabad on 9th February. The match is scheduled to take place at 7 pm at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch South Africa vs Canada, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match online?

Cricket fans in India can watch the South Africa vs Canada, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match LIVE on Jio Hotstar, accessible via OTTPlay Premium.

Current scenarios of South Africa vs Canada

In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, South Africa was just inches away from lifting their maiden T20 title. This year, they are coming with a mixed bag of performance after losing to India in the T20 series by 3-1, and then also lost the warm-up game against India.

However, in between time, they also won a series against the West Indies right before the World Cup.

Read also: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Squad of every nation.

On the other hand, Canada have not won a single T20I game in the last five matches. So, they will have to punch way above their weight to give a fight to a team like South Africa.

Read also: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Historic Shepherd dismantles Scotland to hand West Indies full points in Kolkata.

Squad analysis - South Africa vs Canada

Under the steady hand of Aiden Markram, South Africa have come to the World Cup with a squad that emphasises sheer physical dominance.

While the team suffered pre-tournament blows with injuries to Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira, the forced inclusions of Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton have arguably made the middle order even more explosive.

Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and the left-arm variety of Marco Jansen make them one of the most threatening pace attacks in the world.

However, all eyes will be on Dewald Brevis and David Miller, who will be important in giving South Africa the acceleration down the order.

Read also: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan vs Netherlands - team analysis, strengths and weaknesses.

Now led by Dilpreet Bajwa, the Canadians have transitioned into a tactically astute unit that relies on stifling opposition through disciplined lines and a "never-say-die" fielding attitude.

Harsh Thaker, Dilon Heyliger, and Saad Bin Zafar are the key all-rounders of the team, while Yuvraj Samra, the young sensation, will make them one of the teams to watch out for.

Squads

Canada: Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Ajayveer Hundal, Ansh Patel, Dilon Heyliger, Harsh Thaker, Jaskarandeep Singh, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Shreyas Movva, Yuvraj Samra.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.

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