Centurion, January 30, 2026 – Quinton de Kock stole the spotlight once again as South Africa defeated West Indies in the second T20I at Centurion with a blistering 115 off just 49 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter’s masterclass helped the Proteas edge closer to claiming their first bilateral T20I series win since early 2024, signaling a strong form ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
De Kock’s innings set the tone for a dominant chase, complemented by Ryan Rickelton, who quietly contributed to the total while adjusting to his new role at number three. “We just padded up, walked out to bat and did the job,” de Kock said post-match, adding with a laugh that he borrowed Dewald Brevis’ bat for the knock—and it “worked out well.”
South Africa captain Aiden Markram praised de Kock’s performance, noting the importance of a strong start in chasing a big total. He also credited spinner Keshav Maharaj for keeping the run rate in check, while expressing confidence in the team’s batting options and plans ahead of the final T20I at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, January 31. That match will be celebrated as ‘Pink Day,’ raising awareness for breast cancer.
West Indies captain Shai Hope described his team’s batting as “decent but slightly under-par,” acknowledging that while individual performances like Hetty’s return were promising, overall execution in bowling and fielding fell short. Rovman Powell had stressed the need for consistency across all three facets, but aside from Matthew Forde and Akeal Hosein, the team struggled to maintain pressure on the Proteas.
The win at Centurion mirrors a historic moment from March 2023, when South Africa chased 259 with seven balls to spare—once again relying on a sublime century from de Kock. With the last two matches yielding 401 runs for South Africa while losing just four wickets, the Proteas are peaking at the right time, sending a warning to opponents for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Player of the Match: Quinton de Kock (115 off 49 balls)
Next Up: Third and final T20I at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, January 31, 4 PM GMT.