Sensational De Kock century leads SA to thumping win over Windies

Quinton de Kock was at his dazzling best with a sensational 115 to lead South Africa to a commanding seven-wicket victory against the West Indies in the second T20 International against the West Indies at Supersport Park in Centurion on Thursday evening.

South Africa’s bowlers fought back well to restrict the tourists to a total of 221-4 on a typically perfect batting surface and De Kock dominated a bristling second-wicket partnership of 162 with Ryan Rickelton (77* from 36 balls) to all-but win the game which was completed at 225-3 with 15 balls to spare.

De Kock’s trademark pulls and slog-sweeps were outshone by his straight driving as the West Indies opted to bowl full – half his boundary count of six fours and 10 sixes came with glorious straight drives over long on and long off.

His second T20I century came from just 43 balls, matching his first against the same opponents at the same venue four years ago.

An explosive century! 💯🔥

Power, fury, execution and pure class on display. What an exceptional knock from Quinton de Kock! 🇿🇦👏#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/P7EHuxfOSV — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 29, 2026

There were just five balls from which he did not score in his innings. By the time he miscued a slog-sweep against spinner Akeal Hosein the game was won and the opponents despondent. He required just 49 balls for his 115.

Rickelton’s recent form was emphatically endorsed with an array of shots around the ground delivering nine fours and three sixes.

Initially content to provide support for De Kock, the left hander evidently felt the party was too good to watch from the sidelines against a bowling attack which looked worryingly toothless for the tourists.

A starting requirement of 11 runs per over may have appeared intimidating but with seven overs still remaining in the run chase, it was down to just above a run-a-ball.

Jayden Seales confirmed what Anrich Nortje earlier established – this is no venue for fast bowlers who travel as fast off the bat as they deliver the ball.

HETMYER, RUTHERFORD STEER WINDIES SHIP

Earlier Shimron Hetmyer hammered 75 from 42 balls to lead the West Indies to a total of 221-4 but it could have been even more.

At 115-2 after 10 overs the Proteas were gasping for breath but Marco Jansen (4-0-39-1) and Keshav Maharaj (4-0-22-2) bowled a couple of tight overs in the middle to restrict the total to an eminently chaseable one.

Captain Shai Hope (4) went early, under-edging a pull against Kagiso Rabada (4-0-35-1) to ‘keeper De Kock but Brandon King (49 from 30 balls) and Hetmyer added a breathtaking 126 in just over 10 overs.

Nortje bore the brunt of the assault with 24 coming from his first over and another 20 from his second.

King tore into Nortje with a sequence of 4,4,6,0,4,6 with three boundaries flat-batted in spectacular style over cover before smashing Rabada to Tristan Stubbs at long off to depart for 49 from 30 balls with five fours and three sixes.

Hetmyer’s wonderful innings ended with a slap shot against Maharaj to Dewald Brevis on the cover boundary while Rovman Powell endured a frustrating two runs from eight balls before missing a desperate drive against Maharaj.

But Sherfane Rutherford continued his staggering form in the SA20 with a bewildering innings of 57* from just 24 balls in the closing overs, picking his gaps for five boundaries and walloping four sixes.

Romario Shepherd finished unbeaten on 17 from 10 balls. Nortje’s first two overs cost 44 but he was still required to bowl the 20th – that only 15 runs came from it might be considered a success but figures of 3-0-59-0 will still hurt.

South Africa, having comfortably won the first match at Boland Park by nine wickets, completed a series victory with the third and final match to be played at the Wanderers on Saturday, the annual ‘Pink Ball’ international.

Quinton de Kock leads the Proteas to a series victory over West Indies 🇿🇦🌴#SAvWI | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/nZq5gyBMNC — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 29, 2026

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka

WEST INDIES: Brandon King, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales