South Africa have sealed a close victory against USA in the first match of the Super Eight in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday (June 19) in North Sound. They beat USA by 18 runs.

Bowling first, USA restricted South Africa to less than 200 from 126 for 1 in the 13th over on a pitch that was favorable to batting. South Africa scored 194 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. The total was set up by Quinton de Kock's maiden half-century of the tournament, a fifth-wicket partnership of 53 between Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram’s 46-run innings. Quinton de Kock scored 74 runs off 40 balls with 7 fours and 5 sixes.

For USA, Harmeet Singh and Saurabh Netravalkar combined for 4 wickets as both got 2 wickets each but the remainder of the attack was unable to muster enough assistance.

In the chase, Steven Taylor gave USA a strong start, but Kagiso Rabada's double strike in the Powerplay leveled the situation. Although South African-born Andries Gous came dangerously close to having the final say in the proceedings, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi managed to get the USA through the middle.

With two overs remaining, the USA needed only 28 runs thanks to Gous’ unbeaten 80-run innings and his 91-run stand with Harmeet, which was the second-highest for the sixth wicket or lower in all T20 World Cups. Eventually, South Africa secured their first Super Eight point as Rabada and Anrich Nortje held the USA at bay. Gous’ 80-run innings consisted of 5 fours and 5 sixes from 47 balls. Harmeet scored 38 runs from 22 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes.

Rabada was the best bowler for South Africa with 3 wickets for just 18 runs in 4 overs.