Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton flatten West Indies as South Africa seal T20I series

A whirlwind hundred from Quinton de Kock and a breezy half-century from Ryan Rickelton powered South Africa to a comfortable victory in a high-scoring second T20I at Supersport Park in Centurion. After quick fifties from Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford lifted West Indies to 221/4, De Kock smashed a 49-ball 115, with 10 sixes, while Rickelton finished unbeaten on 77 off 36 balls. South Africa needed just 17.3 overs to chase down the target, clinching the T20I series with a game to spare.

South Africa never felt the pressure of the chase as De Kock set the tone early, unleashing pulls, flicks, and lofted strokes against the West Indies seamers. The sole over of spin—bowled by Roston Chase in the fourth over—proved expensive, conceding a six and a four to De Kock. With the pitch favoring batters and West Indies lacking consistency, South Africa raced to 70 in the powerplay, De Kock reaching a 21-ball fifty soon after.

At the other end, Rickelton settled quickly after Aiden Markram fell early. Even with the field spread, both batters found gaps effortlessly, keeping the required rate firmly under control. The partnership accelerated through the middle overs, with Rickelton growing more assertive and De Kock continuing to clear the ropes. South Africa reached 122/1 at the halfway stage. The 12th over, bowled by Jayden Seales, proved particularly costly—De Kock hit two sixes and Rickelton struck two fours in a 25-run over that took South Africa past 150.

De Kock surged to his century with a flicked six off Jason Holder, shortly after Rickelton reached a 25-ball fifty. The pair added 162 runs in just 72 balls. Even when De Kock eventually miscued a lofted shot off Akeal Hosein, the damage was done, and the chase remained firmly in South Africa’s control. Rickelton sealed the win with a flurry of boundaries, accelerating as the finish line approached to ensure no late alarms.

Earlier, batting first, West Indies capitalized on a good surface, with Brandon King launching an aggressive powerplay to give them a rapid start. King took a particular liking to Anrich Nortje, smashing 24 off his first over and repeatedly clearing the infield as South Africa struggled to find their rhythm. After Shai Hope fell early to Marco Jansen, Hetmyer walked in at No. 3 and maintained the momentum, attacking from the outset and forcing South Africa onto the defensive. West Indies reached 68/1 in the powerplay.

King and Hetmyer combined for a 126-run second-wicket partnership, batting authoritatively through the middle overs. Nortje, returning for his second over, conceded 22 runs as West Indies reached 115/1 by the 10th over. King blended clean hitting with smart placement before falling one run short of a half-century, while Hetmyer grew increasingly fluent, reaching a 29-ball fifty. South Africa briefly fought back through Keshav Maharaj, who removed both Rovman Powell and Hetmyer in a tidy spell, but the damage had already been done.

Just as the innings threatened to lose steam, Rutherford provided the late surge West Indies needed. He tore into the death overs with a series of powerful strikes, punishing missed yorkers and short deliveries to reach a half-century off just 24 balls, with support from Romario Shepherd. Nortje endured a tough finish, conceding 15 in his final over, after Jansen went for 22 in the 18th. West Indies surged past 220, setting what seemed a daunting target—only for De Kock and Rickelton to make it look anything but.

Brief scores: West Indies 221/4 in 20 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 75, Sherfane Rutherford 57*, Brandon King 49; Keshav Maharaj 2-22) lost to South Africa 225/3 in 17.3 overs (Quinton de Kock 115, Ryan Rickelton 77*; Akeal Hosein 2-41) by 7 wickets.