South Africa rank no. 11 in terms of W/L ratio since July 2024 in T20Is (among full-member nations)

Since July 2024, South Africa sit 11th in T20I W/L ratio among full-member teams — a concern heading into major events.

South Africa and World Cups are a complicated relationship, often accompanied by the familiar refrain of ‘will they or won’t they this time?’. The runners-up of the T20 World Cup 2024 enter the 2026 edition on the back of worrying form in the shortest format. Since July 2024, the Proteas have recorded the second-worst T20I win-loss ratio of 0.60 among full-member nations, a statistic that underlines their struggles away from tournament conditions.

Despite retaining several players from the previous T20 World Cup, under the leadership of Aiden Markram, South Africa have found little consistency. While the inclusion of younger batters such as Dewald Brevis and Jason Smith has offered encouragement, bilateral results over the last 19 months have exposed structural flaws.

Only two T20I series wins in 19 months
South Africa’s recent T20I record paints a concerning picture. Since July 2024, they have managed just 12 wins in 32 matches, and only eight victories from 21 games since the start of 2025. Moreover, five of those eight wins have come against teams ranked below them in the ICC T20I rankings – Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Why rest of the teams need to be cautious against India’s fiery batting line up

Full-member nations’ win-loss ratio since Jul 2024

Among full-member nations, only West Indies have fared worse in this period. South Africa have featured in 10 bilateral T20I series since July 2024 and won just two, both at home. The nadir came with a one-off away defeat to Namibia, where they could only muster 134-8 in 20 overs – an alarming result ahead of a global tournament in similar conditions.

South Africa’s bilateral T20I series results since Jul 2024

Read More: Top 5 economical bowlers to watch out for in T20 World Cup 2026

Batting concerns in Indian conditions
South Africa’s struggles have been particularly evident in India. Across 38 T20I innings, they have averaged only 17.65 at a strike rate of 129.88, with just three half-centuries to show for their efforts. While their boundary-hitting numbers were respectable, their vulnerability against spin stood out starkly.

They lost 16 wickets to spin in just four innings at an average of 12.19, highlighting a lack of adaptability on slower surfaces – an issue that will be magnified in India and Sri Lanka during the World Cup.

South Africa’s T20I batting performance in India since July 2024

Read More: Dewald Brevis registers highest individual score for SA in T20Is: Has Baby AB come of age?

Bowling lacks penetration
Meanwhile, South Africa’s spinners struggled with the ball, managing only two wickets in three innings in India, at an economy rate of 10.14. Overall, the attack picked up only 23 wickets in as many innings, leaking nearly nine runs per over, indicating a lack of control through the middle overs.

South Africa’s T20I bowling performance in India since July 2024

Markram’s inconsistency and need to adapt
Captain Aiden Markram has also endured a lean run. Since 2024, he has scored 439 runs in 21 innings at an average of 23.10, with only two half-centuries. For a side seeking stability, inconsistency from its leader has compounded broader batting issues. Since the beginning of July 2024, Proteas’ Aiden Markram has notched up only 439 T20I runs in 21 innings as their leader. The right-handed batter has a couple of half-centuries at the best score of undefeated 86 runs.

Adaptability will be key going forward. This is where Dewald Brevis becomes central. The 22-year-old has been South Africa’s second-highest run-scorer since the last World Cup, amassing 485 runs in 19 innings at a strike rate of 173.88, making him crucial in countering spin during the middle overs.

SA20 momentum and the road ahead
After a successful SA20 2025-26 season, some of their in-form players will need to shoulder the responsibility. Tristan Stubbs’ captaincy for Sunrise Eastern Cape was impressive in winning their third title of the tournament. Stubbs also brings leadership insights that could aid Markram.

Even in the bowling department, Keshav Maharaj’s role will be vital. However, they are expected to go with four pacers, including Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi. Nortje was in a breathtaking form during the recent SA20 season with 18 wickets at an economy rate of just 7.01.

The management will be keen to form their strongest XI post their only warm-up clash against India on February 04 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Their opening encounter will be against Canada on February 09. That fixture will take place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Read More: Batting highlights from T20 World Cup history