The South Africa Playing XI vs Canada Playing XI will mark the start of the T20 World Cup campaign for both these teams. South Africa will be eyeing revenge from the previous edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final and will be eyeing their maiden T20 World Cup trophy.

This article provides the probable playing XIs of South Africa and Canada for the ninth T20 World Cup clash in 2026, alongside the likely player combinations and crucial players to watch out for at the Indian venue of Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

South Africa Playing XI vs Canada Playing XI, Match No.9 - ICC T20 World Cup 2026
South Africa Playing XI vs Canada - ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram
South Africa, with the return of Quinton de Kock, now has one of the most reliable and fiercest opening duos in this upcoming edition of the World Cup. Quinton de Kock has also been in sublime touch since his return, and with the World Cup back, the skipper would once again return to opening alongside the veteran batter. The two can single-handedly take the Proteas to a win in the match.

Middle-Order Batters: Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen
South Africa had sidelined many crucial players from their middle order in the provisional squad, but then, due to some outstanding performances in the SA20, they have made a return to the T20 World Cup squad.

Ryan Rickelton, the wicket-keeper batter, was one such player; however, he was seen in some fine touch in the series against the West Indies. He will be followed by South Africa's three most explosive batters. Dewald Brevis will be playing his first T20 World Cup, while Stubbs and Miller have once again made their way into the squad.

It lastly includes all-rounder Marco Jansen, who always has an impact on the game; even if he does not get it right with the bat, he will deliver with the ball, or vice versa.

Bowlers: George Linde/Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje/Lungi Ngidi
South Africa looks very experienced as always. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj will be the frontline pace-spin duo, while the likes of Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje will be the pace bowling backups, and either George Linde or Corbin Bosch will be featuring as the bowling all-rounder at no. 8.

South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, George Linde/Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje/Lungi Ngidi.

Canada Playing XI vs South Africa - ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Yuvraj Samra and Dilpreet Bajwa
The two Canadian youngsters who are of Indian origin have been recognised as the full-time openers of the Canadian side ever since the ICC T20 World Cup was announced. The two dynamic batters will be the best to make maximum use of the fielding restrictions within the power play.

Middle-Order Batters: Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Shreyas Movva/Kanwarpal Tathgur, Nicholas Kirton, Jaskarandeep Singh
Canada alsohase some fine batting talent in the middle order, which includes consistent run-getter Harsh Thaker and explosive lower-order batter Nicholas Kirton, who was also the former skipper of the Canadian team. The Canadian team, anyway, mostly looks like a bunch of Indian and Pakistani players mixed to form one team.

Bowlers: Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Shivam Sharma and Kaleem Sana
Canada will have a fine balance between their spin and pace bowlers. Kaleem Sana will be crucial with the new ball; however, once the pitch gets hit for quite some time, Saad Bin Zafar, the spinner, might come into play against the opposition batters.

Canada Playing XI: Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Shreyas Movva/Kanwarpal Tathgur, Nicholas Kirton, Jaskarandeep Singh, Saad Bin Zafar, Dilon Heyliger, Shivam Sharma and Kaleem Sana.