West Indies vs South Africa, WI vs SA 2024, Today Match Prediction 24 August 2024

WI vs RSA Match Prediction & Analysis

West Indies and South Africa are no strangers to each other, particularly in this format, after they contested a three-match T20I series in Jamaica during May prior to the 2024 T20 World Cup as well as meeting each other in the Super Eights stage!

However, with that T20 World Cup complete, and a wait until February 2026 before the next one, both sides are looking to give a few new names a chance to flourish on the international stage during this series.

All of the games of this three-match series will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba where we can expect strong crowds due to a Women's L fixture also taking place immediately after each game.

West Indies had a 100% record in the last series but it was South Africa who won the last head to head so this could well be a tight contest to begin this latest series. 

RECENT PERFORMANCE

WI

L W L W W

WI

135/8 in 20.0 6.75

ICCWCT20

South Africa beat West Indies by 3 wickets (D/L) method 24 Jun 2024

RSA

124/7 in 16.1 7.67

USA

128/10 in 19.5 6.45

ICCWCT20

West Indies beat United States of America by 9 wickets 22 Jun 2024

WI

130/1 in 10.5 12

ENG

181/2 in 17.3 10.34

ICCWCT20

England beat West Indies by 8 wickets 20 Jun 2024

WI

180/4 in 20.0 9

WI

218/5 in 20.0 10.9

ICCWCT20

West Indies beat Afghanistan by 104 runs 18 Jun 2024

AFG

114/10 in 16.2 6.98

WI

149/9 in 20.0 7.45

ICCWCT20

West Indies beat New Zealand by 13 runs 13 Jun 2024

NZ

136/9 in 20.0 6.8

RSA

L W W W W

RSA

169/8 in 20.0 8.45

ICCWCT20

India beat South Africa by 7 runs 29 Jun 2024

IND

176/7 in 20.0 8.8

RSA

60/1 in 8.5 6.8

ICCWCT20

South Africa beat Afghanistan by 9 wickets 27 Jun 2024

AFG

56/10 in 11.5 4.73

WI

135/8 in 20.0 6.75

ICCWCT20

South Africa beat West Indies by 3 wickets (D/L) method 24 Jun 2024

RSA

124/7 in 16.1 7.67

ENG

156/6 in 20.0 7.8

ICCWCT20

South Africa beat England by 7 runs 21 Jun 2024

RSA

163/6 in 20.0 8.15

USA

176/6 in 20.0 8.8

ICCWCT20

South Africa beat United States of America by 18 runs 19 Jun 2024

RSA

194/4 in 20.0 9.7

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

West Indies Preview

Although there is a long gap until the next T20 World Cup, West Indies have opted to select established and already-fringe players for this squad as opposed to giving some new blood an opportunity. Of their 15-man squad, only batter Alick Athanaze and bowler Matthew Forde can be considered inexperienced at this level in this format with just three T20I caps between them!

The squad is without some experienced heads in the shape of Andre Russell, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph but with the likes of Obed McCoy and Romario Shepherd in the team, there should not be any danger of a lack of quality pace bowling.

With the bat, Nicholas Pooran remains in strong form and Johnson Charles has an excellent recent record against South Africa. We also expect Shimron Hetmyer, who has for so long struggled to establish himself in the side, to get another chance.

West Indies Predicted Playing XI:

Johnson Charles, Alick Athanaze, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Obed McCoy, Akeal Hosein

West Indies Actual Playing XI:

Matthew Forde, Alick Athanaze, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford

South Africa Preview

With plenty of big names rested or otherwise engaged during this T20I series, there will be plenty of opportunities for some of South Africa's fringe players to make an impact during this contest. In fact, from the XI who came so close to beating India in the final in late June, only captain Aiden Markram, opener Reeza Hendricks and exciting young batter Tristan Stubbs have made the squad for this series!

There will be many cricket fans from across the globe checking out the team sheets at the toss with the name of Kwena Maphaka one which they will all be looking for. The left-arm pace bowler was propelled into the spotlight when he was awarded the Player of the Tournament during the 2024 Under-19 World Cup and he will surely get a first international cap in this game.

With the bat, Rassie van der Dussen is a reassuring presence in any format of the game and we also expect Jason Smith to make his debut in the middle order after he impressed for Dolphins during the CSA T20 Challenge earlier this year.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Aiden Markram (c), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Kwena Maphaka

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Ottneil Baartman, Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Kwena Maphaka, Tristan Stubbs

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

According to the forecast, there will be plenty of cloud cover throughout Friday afternoon in Tarouba with a constant threat of light showers. It will be humid from start to finish and the temperature is unlikely to drop below 30 degrees across the entire match irrespective of if it is raining or the sun is shining!

WI vs RSA Pitch Report

During the 2024 T20 World Cup, there were some low scoring contests on this ground but during the last bilateral T20I series on this pitch we did see England strike 267/3 in one game! We are expecting this pitch to be more like that match from December 2023 than what we saw a couple of months ago and a par score is likely to be 200+.

Toss: To Bowl

The last four matches at this venue were won by the team who fielded first and chased a target in the second innings. In spite of the dubious weather forecast, we predict that both captains will choose to field first again in this match if they win the toss.