South Africa and West Indies will square off in the third and final T20I of the series at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on Saturday, January 31. With the hosts already sealing the series, West Indies will be keen to restore some balance and avoid a whitewash ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
South Africa have dominated the series with aggressive batting displays at the top of the order. The return of Quinton de Kock has significantly strengthened their lineup, while Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram have provided consistency through the middle overs. However, their bowling unit has leaked runs, especially at the death, which could be an area of concern.
West Indies, despite losing the series, have shown encouraging signs with the bat. Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford have produced impactful innings, while Brandon King has looked dangerous during the powerplay. Their main challenge remains bowling discipline, particularly when defending big totals.
With both teams looking to fine-tune combinations before the global tournament, the final match is expected to be competitive.
South Africa vs West Indies, 3rd T20I Match Details
| Match | South Africa vs West Indies, 3rd T20I |
| Time | 9:30 PM |
| Series | West Indies Tour of South Africa 2026 |
| Date | Saturday, January 31, 2026 |
| Venue | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (App & Website) |
Wanderers Stadium Pitch Report
The surface at the Wanderers Stadium is traditionally known for good pace and bounce. Fast bowlers are likely to enjoy assistance early on, especially under cloud cover. As the match progresses, batting becomes easier, making it a high-scoring venue. Teams chasing have historically found more success under lights.
SA vs WI Head-to-Head T20I Record
| Matches Played | 28 |
| South Africa Team Won | 14 |
| West Indies Team Won | 14 |
| No Results | 0 |
SA vs WI Predicted Playing XIs
South Africa (SA)
Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
West Indies (WI)
Brandon King, Shai Hope (C & WK), Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Matthew Forde
SA vs WI Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Shimron Hetmyer
Hetmyer has looked in good touch throughout the series, playing fearless shots in the middle overs. On a batting-friendly surface like Johannesburg, his ability to accelerate could be crucial for West Indies.
Probable Best Bowler: Akeal Hosein
Hosein’s control in the middle overs and ability to break partnerships could play a key role, especially against South Africa’s aggressive top order.
South Africa vs West Indies, 3rd T20I Match Prediction
With South Africa likely to experiment and West Indies eager to finish the tour positively, the visitors have a strong chance to clinch the final match if they execute their plans effectively.
Match Prediction Winner: West Indies
