South Africa faced a daunting challenge in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, March 4. After being put in to bat by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, the Proteas found themselves in a precarious position at 77/5 by the 11th over. Despite the early collapse, they managed to claw back to a competitive total of 169 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The recovery was spearheaded by a brilliant, unbeaten half-century from fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen. Jansen played a high-impact knock of 55* from just 30 balls, anchoring the lower order with a display of raw power that included 2 fours and 5 sixes.
Marco Jansen shines bright with blistering 30-ball 55
He found a reliable partner in Tristan Stubbs, who contributed a vital 29 runs from 24 balls. Together, the pair shifted the momentum with a crucial 73-run partnership for the sixth wicket, which occupied 47 deliveries and gave the South African bowlers a target to defend.Earlier in the innings, Dewald Brevis provided a spark of aggression as the No. 4 batter, hammering 34 runs from 27 balls to help steady the ship following the early departures of the openers. While New Zealand's bowlers—led by Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, and Cole McConchie, frequently broke through the top and middle order, the late-innings fireworks from Jansen and Stubbs ensured South Africa finished their innings on a high note in this high-pressure knockout clash.
The 73-run stand between Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs during the first semi-final has etched their names into the South African record books. By stabilizing the innings under immense pressure, the duo successfully broke the national record for the highest partnership for the sixth wicket or lower in T20 International history for the Proteas.
This achievement surpassed the previous South African benchmark set by Tristan Stubbs and Patrick Kruger. In that prior record-breaking effort, Stubbs and Kruger had combined for 71 runs in just 8.1 overs during a clash against the West Indies in Tarouba on August 23, 2024. Interestingly, Stubbs' involvement in both partnerships cements his reputation as a vital anchor for South Africa's lower-middle order.
South Africa players with highest 6th-wicket partnership in T20Is:
| PLAYERS | RUNS | OVERS | AGAINST | VENUE | DATE |
| Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen | 73 | 7.5 | New Zealand | Kolkata | March 4, 2026 |
| Tristan Stubbs, Patrick Kruger | 71 | 8.1 | West Indies | Tarouba | August 23, 2024 |
| Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel | 69 | 10.5 | India | Durban | September 20, 2007 |
| Farhaan Behardien, Robin Peterson | 60* | 5.5 | Australia | Colombo (RPS) | September 30, 2012 |
| Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel | 58 | 5 | Australia | Johannesburg | March 27, 2009 |
| David Miller, Wiaan Mulder | 58 | 7.1 | Ireland | Belfast | July 22, 2021 |
While Jansen and Stubbs have rewritten their national records, the global T20 World Cup benchmark remains untouched. That world record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership still belongs to Australia’s Michael Hussey and Cameron White. The legendary pair famously amassed 101 runs in just 9 overs against Sri Lanka in Bridgetown on May 9, 2010—a feat that has stood for over 15 years.