South Africa's Ryan Rickelton reacts after being hit by the ball during the 2026 ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup Super Eights match between Zimbabwe and South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on March 1, 2026. Picture: Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Image: Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
As the Proteas eased to their T20 World Cup Super Eights victory against Zimbabwe in Delhi on Sunday, it was not without any hitches as Ryan Rickelton may have some lingering injury concerns ahead of their semi-final next week.
South Africa will take on New Zealand at Eden Gardens in the first semi-final on Wednesday.
That leaves just three days for Rickelton to prove his fitness for the match. This comes after he was struck on the helmet in the fourth over of South Africa’s chase by Zimbabwe’s quick Brad Evans with a vicious bouncer.
Rickelton looked dazed after being hit, and the next man in - David Miller - appeared ready to come on.
The 29-year-old Rickelton, however, was able to recover and pass a concussion test as he carried on batting.
Though Rickelton appeared unhindered and went on to add another 20 runs before he was out for a well-played 31 which included four sixes, he was seen on the sidelines later icing his head where the ball struck him.
He will no doubt undergo further, more involved concussion tests before the semi-final, and he will hope to not experience any lasting effects from the incident.
With South Africa already having qualified for the semis with a game to spare in the Super Eights, they made three changes to their team to face their neighbours.
George Linde, Anrich Nortje and Kwena Maphaka came in for Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.
If Rickelton is unable to recover in time, Jason Smith will likely be added to the Proteas playing XI.