South Africa bowl in opening T20I; Hope misses out for West Indies

Hope has a groin niggle, while Shamar Joseph also doesn't feature for West Indies

Toss South Africa chose to bowl vs West Indies

South Africa fielded four seamers and two spinners as they began their final T20 World Cup 2026 preparation with most of their first choice players.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius was carded to open the batting with Aiden Markram, with Ryan Rickelton slotted in at No.3. Jason Smith was given the opportunity to play the finishing role with David Miller out of the series with a groin injury.

Shai Hope missed out for West Indies due to a groin niggle, while Shamar Joseph also did not find a spot in the playing XI.

South Africa have lost their last two T20I series to West Indies, but beat them in-between at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram (capt), 2 Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 3 Ryan Rickleton (wk), 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Jason Smith, 6 Rubin Hermann, 7 Corbin Bosch, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 George Linde, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Kwena Maphaka

West Indies: 1 Brandon King, 2 Roston Chase (capt), 3 Johnson Charles (wk), 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Jason Holder, 9 Matthew Forde, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Akeal Hosein