Tazmin Brits continued her outstanding run of form with the bat to guide the Proteas Women to a convincing six-wicket victory over New Zealand in their second ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match in Indore on Monday.
Brits top-scored with an explosive 101 off 89 balls (15 fours, 1 six), supported superbly by Suné Luus, who struck an unbeaten 83 off 114 deliveries (10 fours, 1 six), as South Africa successfully chased down New Zealand’s total of 231 all out. Their effort followed an excellent bowling display led by Nonkululeko Mlaba, who returned impressive figures of four for 40.
The White Ferns won the toss and chose to bat, but the decision immediately backfired as Marizanne Kapp (1/34) trapped Suzie Bates LBW with the very first ball of the innings. Amelia Kerr (23) and Georgia Plimmer (31) steadied the ship, adding 44 for the second wicket before Nadine de Klerk (1/32) broke the stand in the 11th over.
Captain Sophie Devine then joined Plimmer and led the rebuild, putting on a 57-run partnership to take New Zealand past 100 before Chloé Tryon (1/24) removed Plimmer. Devine continued to take the attack to South Africa, finding valuable support from an aggressive Brooke Halliday (45). The pair added 86 for the fourth wicket, giving New Zealand strong momentum heading into the final overs.
Nonkululeko Mlaba then sparked a brilliant fightback for South Africa. The left-arm spinner dismissed Halliday with a sharp caught-and-bowled, then struck again in her next over to remove Maddy Green (4), leaving the White Ferns 195/5 in the 41st over.
Kapp and Mlaba then combined to run out Isabella Gaze (10) before Mlaba claimed the prized wicket of the in-form Devine. Ayabonga Khaka (1/31) joined in by dismissing Jess Kerr (2), and Laura Wolvaardt took a spectacular one-handed catch to remove Leah Tahuhu (5), giving Mlaba her fourth wicket. Another run-out, this time of Eden Carson (4), ended the innings with New Zealand bowled out for 231 in 47.5 overs.
South Africa’s reply began steadily, though they lost captain Wolvaardt (14) early. Brits and Luus then took control with a standout 159-run partnership for the second wicket – the Proteas’ highest stand in a 50-over World Cup. Both reached their half-centuries, with Brits going on to record her fourth century in her last five innings, guiding South Africa towards victory.
With the Proteas needing just 47 runs for victory with 18.5 overs remaining, New Zealand mounted a brief fightback. Tahuhu (1/27) dismissed Brits, and A. Kerr (2/62) claimed two quick wickets, removing Kapp (14) and Anneke Bosch (0), to reduce the Proteas to 213/4.
However, it was too little, too late for the White Ferns. Luus held firm, calmly steering South Africa home alongside Sinalo Jafta (6*), sealing a comprehensive six-wicket win with 55 balls to spare.
The Proteas Women will now travel to Visakhapatnam for an exciting clash against hosts India on Thursday, 09 October at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
