The win over the ever-dangerous Black Caps moved South Africa to six points on the log and all but guaranteed their place in the Super 8s, with one group match – against the United Arab Emirates – still to come.

Having won the toss, South Africa elected to field first, confident the conditions under lights would favour the side chasing.

Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram. Photo: Cricinfo

Despite the surface being a belter for batting, the Proteas were outstanding in the field and with the ball, restricting New Zealand to 175/7 in their allotted 20 overs. On a pitch like that, there were easily another 30 to 40 runs available.

A lack of meaningful partnerships up front left the Kiwis wobbling at 64/4 after just 6.4 overs, largely thanks to the incisive bowling of Marco Jansen. However, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings with a counter-attacking stand.

Chapman cracked 48 off 26 balls before he was caught by Ryan Rickelton off Jansen with the score on 138/5 after 13.6 overs. It was Jansen’s fourth wicket, having ripped through the top five of the batting line-up.

Mitchell chipped in with 32 off 24 before he was caught by Tristan Stubbs off Lungi Ngidi, leaving the Black Caps on 141/6. A defiant unbeaten 23 from James Neesham dragged New Zealand to 175/7 – competitive, but arguably below par.

Jansen was comfortably the pick of the bowlers, finishing with superb figures of 4/40.

In reply, South Africa came out firing. Captain Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock blasted 62 runs in just 4.4 overs to set the tone for the chase. De Kock was eventually bowled by Lockie Ferguson for a brisk 20 off 14 balls.

Mark Chapman. Photo: Cricinfo

Rickelton added 21 off eleven before being caught on the boundary by Mitchell off Neesham. Dewald Brevis threatened with a lively 21 but threw his wicket away just as he looked set.

From there, it was the Markram show.

The skipper played one of his finest T20 innings in national colours, finishing unbeaten on a scintillating 86 off just 44 deliveries. David Miller provided the calm finishing touch with 24 not out off 17 balls as the Proteas sealed the deal in 17.1 overs.

After the emphatic win, Markram said it felt like a far more complete performance compared to their nervy outing against Afghanistan.

Marco Jansen. Photo: Cricinfo

“Yeah, for sure, it’s definitely a lot closer to the fullest of our potential tonight,” said Markram.

“I thought pretty much all areas were really good, and again I think it just came from clarity and conviction in the plan – whether it’s the ball you’re going to bowl or the approach you’re going to take against a certain bowler with the bat.

“So it’s nice to see the boys slowly but surely improving, getting better and better. Tonight was all-round a really good performance.”

The Proteas will wrap up their group-stage campaign on Wednesday when they take on the United Arab Emirates in Delhi. The match is scheduled to start at 07:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg