‘Bloody walloping…’- Shukri Conrad reacts to SA’s 9-wkt defeat vs NZ in T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinal

The nine-wicket defeat with 43 balls spare in the defense of 169 runs during the first semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata was not a mere choke for the South Africa side, as they were blown away in another knockout clash against New Zealand, who progressed to their second T20 WC final after the 2021 season.

South Africa’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, has described the defeat as ‘bloody walloping’, just three days after he had gladly accepted their tag of being the tournament favorites. He looked shocked at the post-match press conference in Kolkata.

See Also: Watch: Finn Allen smashes Corbin Bosch for 22-run over in SA vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final

“I don't know if tonight was a choke. I thought it was a bloody walloping. I think you must have had a sniff in the game to choke. We didn't have a sniff. In South Africa, we say we got moored (smashed). Tonight, we got a proper snotklap, also a South African word meaning a real hiding.” Conrad expressed in Kolkata.

South Africa coach drops shocking statement on T20 WC 2026 semifinal defeat

New Zealand were clinical with both bat and ball. Still, the main reason behind their victory was the leadership of Mitchell Santner, who used his bowling resources brilliantly in the first innings to continue the pressure on the opponent side.

“They strangled us up front, we lost wickets, and we didn't get any sort of momentum going. A hell of a lot didn't go right tonight, but that was probably enforced because they [New Zealand] were so good and they never gave us a sniff. I'm not going to sit here and try to make excuses for a bad night. We weren't good, and they were excellent.” Conrad addressed.

“The calibre of bowling tonight, coupled with the wicket, made it particularly tough for us, and whether you're alluding to it [a lack of calmness] because it's the semi-final, that's why there wasn't the calmness, I don't think it was that. New Zealand really was really, really good tonight. They gave us absolutely nothing, and they really squeezed particularly well.” The Protea coach shed light.