West Indies vs South Africa predictions: Co-hosts to keep trophy dreams alive
- West Indies have won five of their last six T20Is against South Africa
- Quinton de Kock has scored 74 and 65 in South Africa's first two Super 8 matches
- Recommended bet: West Indies to win
The West Indies are bidding to become the first team to claim three T20 World Cup titles, but they face an in-form South Africa side in Monday's must-win Super 8 fixture in Antigua.
The Windies bounced back from their eight-wicket defeat to England by thrashing the USA by nine wickets with more than nine overs to spare.
That net run-rate boost means any victory against South Africa would take them into the semi-finals, but the Proteas have won all six of their games at the tournament, holding their nerve to see off England by seven runs on Friday.
Team news
West Indies opener Brandon King has been ruled out of the tournament with a side strain.
Kyle Mayers has joined the squad as King's replacement, but Shai Hope will surely keep his place in the team after smashing 82 off 39 balls against the USA.
South Africa fast bowler Ottneil Baartman struggled at the death against England. He could drop out if the Proteas opt to play Tabraiz Shasmi or Bjorn Fortuin as a second frontline spinner.
The stats
The West Indies have won five of their last six T20 internationals against South Africa and have hit 55 sixes in six matches at this tournament.
Spinner Akeal Hosein has an economy rate of just five runs per over in six T20 World Cup games.
Opener Quinton de Kock has scored 74 and 65 in South Africa's first two Super 8 matches and the Proteas have won all six of their matches at the T20 World Cup.
The Proteas have reached the semi-finals only twice in eight T20 World Cup appearances.
Prediction
South Africa are desperate to shed the tag of international cricket's nearly men and they have closed out some tight wins at this tournament.
The Proteas beat Bangladesh by four runs and Nepal by one run in the group stage and sealed a tense victory against England on Friday to extend their winning streak to six matches.
Before then, however, South Africa had been blown away by the West Indies, losing May's T20I series in the Caribbean by a 3-0 margin and they should be opposed in their final Super 8 game.
The Windies' batters have taken it in turns to star during their run of five wins out of six at the World Cup, with Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford and Hope all playing brilliant matchwinning innings.
IPL superstar Andre Russell, one of the world's most dangerous T20 hitters, has been required to face only 38 balls at the tournament, but he is part of an excellent West Indian bowling attack.
As the betting suggests, these teams are well matched but the Windies thrashed in-form Afghanistan in their last group game and, with home advantage, they should march into the semi-finals.
