South Africa delivered a dominant performance in the SA vs WI 2nd T20, as Quinton de Kock produced a sensational century to help the Proteas defeat West Indies by seven wickets at SuperSport Park, Centurion. The emphatic win handed South Africa an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match T20I series, underlining their growing strength in the shortest format of the game.
Returning to the side after missing the opening T20I, de Kock wasted no time in making an impact. His blistering knock of 115 runs off just 49 deliveries completely shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favour and left the West Indies bowlers searching for answers on a batting-friendly Centurion surface.
Match Summary: SA vs WI 2nd T20
| Match | SA vs WI 2nd T20 |
|---|---|
| Venue | SuperSport Park, Centurion |
| Result | South Africa won by 7 wickets |
| Series | South Africa lead 2–0 |
| Player of the Match | Quinton de Kock |
| Target | 222 |
| Balls Remaining | 4 balls |
The contest lived up to expectations, with both teams displaying attacking intent. However, South Africa’s composure during the chase proved to be the decisive factor.
West Indies Set a Challenging Target
Batting first, West Indies put up a formidable total that reflected their explosive batting potential. Their top and middle order made full use of the conditions, finding boundaries regularly and keeping the run rate high throughout the innings.
The visiting side crossed the 220-run mark, a total that would normally put significant pressure on any chasing team. However, Centurion’s reputation as a high-scoring venue meant South Africa remained confident heading into the chase.
De Kock’s Comeback Steals the Spotlight
The SA vs WI 2nd T20 will primarily be remembered for Quinton de Kock’s extraordinary innings. From the outset, he looked completely at ease, timing the ball sweetly and picking gaps with precision.
What stood out was not just the power, but the control. De Kock rotated the strike effectively, punished loose deliveries, and never allowed the required run rate to dictate rash shot selection.
His innings featured a perfect blend of elegance and brute force, a reminder of why he remains one of the most feared batters in international T20 cricket.
Second-Highest Successful T20I Chase for South Africa
South Africa’s chase of 222 runs now ranks as their second-highest successful run chase in T20 international history.
| South Africa’s Highest Successful T20I Chases |
|---|
| Target |
| 259 |
| 222 |
| 206 |
Interestingly, both of South Africa’s top two chases have come against West Indies at the same ground, further highlighting Centurion’s reputation as a run-fest venue.
A Match-Defining Partnership
De Kock received strong support from Ryan Rickelton, with the pair adding 162 runs for the second wicket. The partnership completely took the game away from West Indies and ensured South Africa remained ahead of the required rate.
| Highest T20I Partnerships for South Africa (150+ runs) |
|---|
| Runs |
| 170 |
| 168 |
| 162 |
| 157 |
This stand also reinforced de Kock’s influence, as he is now part of three of South Africa’s six 150-plus T20I partnerships.
Historic Venue Record for De Kock
With his century in the SA vs WI 2nd T20, de Kock joined an exclusive list by becoming only the second player from a Full Member nation to score multiple T20I centuries at the same venue.
| Players with Multiple T20I Hundreds at One Venue |
|---|
| Player |
| Quinton de Kock |
| Colin Munro |
Centurion has clearly become one of de Kock’s favourite hunting grounds.
Most T20 Centuries by a Wicketkeeper
De Kock further strengthened his position as the most prolific wicketkeeper-batter in men’s T20 cricket history.
| Wicketkeepers with Most T20 Hundreds |
|---|
| Player |
| Quinton de Kock |
| Ishan Kishan |
| Kamran Akmal |
| Sanju Samson |
The gap between de Kock and the rest of the field highlights the uniqueness of his achievements.
Equaling South Africa’s T20I Century Record
The century also saw de Kock draw level with David Miller and Rilee Rossouw for the most T20I hundreds by a South African.
| South African Players with Multiple T20I Hundreds |
|---|
| Player |
| Quinton de Kock |
| David Miller |
| Rilee Rossouw |
While others may boast single standout innings, de Kock’s consistency across years and conditions sets him apart.
Six-Hitting Display Lights Up Centurion
Power hitting was a major feature of de Kock’s innings. His 10 sixes placed him joint-second on South Africa’s list for most sixes in a T20I innings.
| Most Sixes in a T20I Innings (South Africa) |
|---|
| Sixes |
| 13 |
| 10 |
| 10 |
The crowd at Centurion was treated to a masterclass in modern T20 batting.
West Indies Struggle to Contain the Onslaught
Despite starting strongly with the bat, West Indies struggled to maintain control during South Africa’s chase. Their bowlers found little assistance from the pitch, and lapses in fielding further compounded their problems.
While there were moments of resistance, the sustained pressure applied by de Kock and Rickelton proved too much to handle.
De Kock Speaks After Match-Winning Performance
After being named Player of the Match, de Kock credited his familiarity with Centurion’s conditions for his fluent batting. He revealed that the team kept discussions simple during the chase, trusting the pitch and their instincts.
He also praised Ryan Rickelton’s adaptability in the middle order, suggesting that performances like this would significantly boost the youngster’s confidence ahead of major international tournaments.
What the Result Means Going Forward
The SA vs WI 2nd T20 result carries important implications:
- South Africa have sealed the series with a game to spare
- De Kock’s return strengthens the batting lineup
- Young players continue to show promise
- West Indies need to reassess their bowling strategies
With momentum firmly on their side, South Africa will head into the final T20I full of confidence, while West Indies will look to salvage pride.
Read also: Ind vs NZ 4th T20I Highlights: New Zealand Beat India by 50 Runs Despite Shivam Dube’s Heroics
Conclusion
The SA vs WI 2nd T20 will be remembered as a night when Quinton de Kock delivered one of the finest innings of his career. His explosive century not only secured a memorable win but also reinforced South Africa’s credentials as a formidable T20 side.
As the series draws toward its conclusion, one thing is clear-when Quinton de Kock is in full flow, few teams in world cricket can stop him.