South Africa and the West Indies will fine-tune their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations with a three-match T20I series, which is set to begin on Tuesday, January 27, at Boland Park in Paarl. The hosts will enter the contest as clear favourites, while the Caribbean side can dominate on their day in the shorter format.
South Africa rely on strong batting and a lethal pace attack, and the West Indies bring their trademark Caribbean flair and raw power. The visiting team is eager to silence critics after a recent setback against Afghanistan. Notably, the Proteas will face the unpredictable explosiveness of the Men in Maroon.
This article provides the probable playing XIs of South Africa and West Indies for the first T20I, likely team combinations, and key players to watch in Paarl.
