'Bloody Walloping': Coach Conrad Admits Proteas Outclassed in Semifinal Rout

New Zealand stormed into the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a crushing nine wicket win over South Africa in the first semifinal at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, sealing their berth with a record-breaking chase powered by Finn Allen and a disciplined bowling display led by Matt Henry.

Following the defeat, South Africa coach Shukri Conrad termed the loss a "bloody walloping".

"I do not know if tonight was a choke. I thought it was a bloody walloping. I think in order for you to choke, you must have had a sniff in the game. We did not have a sniff,” he said.

Despite the heavy defeat, Conrad expressed pride in his side. "I do not think many people gave us much of a chance of even getting into a semifinal when we left the shores, given our form before that. But that is no consolation or anything like that. Look, I mean, I think it is cue the abuse now. There will be enough of it."

Where Did South Africa Falter Against New Zealand at Eden Gardens?

He admitted New Zealand were superior on the night. "Exploited conditions really well with their spinners up front, and we just never got out of the blocks. So yeah, full marks to them. They were a hell of a lot better than us tonight."

Reflecting on key moments, Conrad said, "And then, yeah, Stubbs is probably getting out at the wrong time, just when we sort of built some momentum and then that last over, I thought we were particularly poor in the way we managed that last over, where Marco was flaying it from one side, stood there watching other guys get out. So all in all, not very good."

Praising the Kiwi bowling effort, Matt Henry said, "I think the way to restrict that side to that total of 169 was a brilliant job.”

“I think we'd be taking that any day here at Kolkata and Eden Gardens, obviously, it's tough when you've got a small side [boundaries] like that as well to protect. It can be really dangerous with the power-hitters they [South Africa] do possess,” he added.

“So I think the way we did a great job controlling that. Also wresting some momentum into our batting innings, which is obviously really good as well,” he said.

"Yeah, it's pretty special to be able to obviously reach another final. The guys are really excited but for now is to enjoy this. I think the guys have been playing some really good cricket and some special innings from Finn [Allen]. Just unbelievable. So to enjoy that and then we can move on and get ready for what's to come,” he added.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Blackcaps reduced South Africa to 77 for 5, tightening their grip from the outset.

A 73-run sixth wicket partnership between Tristan Stubbs, who scored 29 off 24 balls with two fours and a six, and Marco Jansen, who remained unbeaten on 55 off 30 balls with two fours and five sixes, helped the Proteas recover to 169 for 8 in 20 overs.

In reply, New Zealand needed only 12.5 overs to overhaul the target. Tim Seifert struck 58 off 33 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes, while Allen produced a historic unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls, smashing 10 fours and eight sixes.

The pair put on a 117-run opening stand before Allen and Ravindra, who remained not out on 13, guided the side home.

Allen’s 33-ball century was the fastest in the history of the T20 World Cup and the quickest across T20 and 50-over World Cups.

His innings handed South Africa their first defeat to New Zealand in T20 World Cups after five matches and marked the Proteas’ fourth loss to the Kiwis in ICC knockout matches following the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal, the 2015 World Cup semifinal and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semifinal.

Allen credited the bowlers for setting up the win and highlighted the importance of New Zealand’s five-match T20I series in India before the tournament.

"I think, an extremely impressive start from our bowlers. They set the game up for us for sure. Yeah look I think it shows the importance of that India series that the boys played before the World Cup - five games on all black soil I think and I think it just shows that us as a team we get up for the fight those important fixtures we really get up for, and as a team we are prepared to fight to the end, and I think the boys with the ball especially did that today," he said.

On batting alongside Seifert, Allen said, "For me, I just looked to play almost a support role to Tim. If it was in my area I would try and hit it for four or six and if it was not just get a single and get him on strike and he just kept dealing in boundaries which he has been doing that all tournament, he is an incredible form, he is an incredible player and I think he is just showing the world what he can do and I think that makes it easy for me to sit back and have the best seat in the house. So, yeah, it's good fun batting with Timmy."

Allen also expressed hope that his parents would be proud of his knock and made it clear that New Zealand are ready for whoever awaits them in the final at Ahmedabad.

"We have got a lot of momentum going into the weekend. I think if we play our best cricket, we can beat anybody. So we will be watching tomorrow night," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)