Sport

Proteas' T20 World Cup opening match history: A mixed record ahead of Canada clash

ICC T20 WORLD CUP

Zaahier Adams|Published

Herschelle Gibbs powered the Proteas to an exhilarating win in the inaugural T20 World Cup opening game back in 2007.

Image: AFP

South Africa face Canada in their 2026 T20 World Cup opener in Ahmedabad on Monday. 

The Proteas have had mixed results in opening matches at T20 World Cups over the years, winning only four out of nine matches played since 2007.

They will hope to improve that record against the North Americans. 

Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams takes a look back at all the Proteas’ T20 World Cup openers. 

  • 11 September 2007, Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa

West Indies: 205/6 v South Africa: 208/2

South Africa won by 8 wickets 

The opening game of the inaugural T20 World Cup was a cracker. Windies T20 legend Chris Gayle (117 off 57 balls) set the Bullring alight with the first-ever century in T20 World Cup cricket before Herschelle Gibbs responded with an equally electrifying 90 off 55 balls to power the Proteas home. 

  • 7 June 2009, The Oval, London, UK

South Africa 211/5 v Scotland 81 

South Africa won by 130 runs

AB de Villiers set up the Proteas’ total with an undefeated 79 off only 34 balls before the bowlers delivered a clinical effort to dismiss the Scots for a paltry 81 at The Oval. It set the tone for a run to the semi-finals. 

  • 2 May 2010, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, 

India 186/5 vs South Africa 172/5

India won by 14 runs

The Proteas bowlers attempted to out bounce India in St Lucia, but Suresh Raina was up to the task. The India left-hander hooked and pulled his way to a century to set the Proteas a stiff target. Jacques Kallis tried valiantly with 73 off 54 deliveries, but ultimately it proved too much.

  • 20 September 2012, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe: 93/8 vs South Africa 94/0 

South Africa won by 10 wickets

A comfortable victory for the Proteas over their northern African neighbours Zimbabwe, who were undone by Kallis (4/15) with the ball. The target was chased down with ease after Richard Levi struck an unbeaten 50 of 43 balls.  

  • 22 March 2014, Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Sri Lanka: 165/7 vs South Africa: 160/8 

Sri Lanka won by 5 runs

Two years later the Proteas were involved in a thrilling clash with the eventual champions in the port-side town of Chittagong in Bangladesh. Imran Tahir did well to restrict the Sri Lankans, but JP Duminy (39 off 30 balls) unfortunately had nobody to form partnerships with as the Proteas fell agonisingly short. They would go on to reach the semis. 

  • 18 March 2016, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India

South Africa: 229/4 vs England:  230/8

England won by 2 wickets

An absolute run-fest in Mumbai with the Proteas posting a mammoth 229/4. Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy all contributed half-centuries. With their participation on the line, England came out storming through Jason Roy before Joe Root 83 (44) masterminded the highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history. 

  • 23 October 2021, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE

South Africa: 118/9 vs Australia: 121/5 

Australia won by 5 wickets

A low-scoring affair in the Abu Dhabi desert with the seamers on both sides dominating the contest. Ultimately, though, it was the experience of Steve Smith that took the Aussies over the line.

 

  • 24 October 2022, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Australia

Zimbabwe: 79/5 (9 overs) vs South Africa: 51/0 (3 overs)

No result

A frustrating opener for the Proteas in Tasmania. The rain played havoc with this fixture, initially reducing the match to nine overs per team. Zimbabwe posted 79/5 before the heavens opened again with the Proteas target revised to 64 runs in seven overs. Quinton de Kock raced out of the blocks with an undefeated 47 off 18 balls, but only three overs were possible with the Proteas stranded on 51/0 when it rained again forcing the match to be abandoned. 

  • 3 June 2024, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, NY, USA

Sri Lanka: 77 vs South Africa: 80/4 

South Africa won by 6 wickets

A terrible drop-in surface greeted the players in New York. Sri Lanka were skittled for 77 with Anrich Nortje claiming 4/7 in his four overs. After an initial stumble, the Proteas got over the line to kickstart a campaign that would see them qualify for their first-ever T20 World Cup final.