In the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, the South African women's team delivered a stellar performance, defeating New Zealand by 6 wickets and keeping their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.
Sports News: The South African team maintained their semi-final hopes by handing New Zealand a crushing defeat in an ICC Women's World Cup match. The same South African team that was bowled out for just 69 runs against England a few days prior looked completely transformed on Monday. Opening batter Tazmin Brits played a magnificent century innings, scoring an excellent 101 runs. Alongside her, Sune Luus remained unbeaten on 81 runs, and together they forged a century partnership, leading South Africa to a splendid six-wicket victory.
Record Partnership Between Brits and Luus
South African opener Tazmin Brits scored a brilliant century of 101 runs, while Sune Luus remained unbeaten on 81, guiding the team to victory. A record 159-run partnership for the second wicket between the two batters completely turned the tide of the match. Chasing the target, South Africa did not have a good start. Captain Laura Wolvaardt (14 runs) was dismissed in the third over. However, Brits and Luus then displayed an excellent blend of composure and aggression.
Brits struck 15 fours and 1 six in her 89-ball innings. After completing her century, she was bowled by Lea Tahuhu, but by then, the match was virtually in South Africa's grasp. This is Brits' fifth century this year and her fourth consecutive century. In her last four innings, she has scored 5, unbeaten 171, unbeaten 101, and 101 runs. She became the first South African woman batter to complete seven ODI centuries in the fewest innings (41) — a historic achievement in itself.
New Zealand's Innings Crumbles, Mlaba's Brilliance
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the New Zealand team had a disastrous start. Veteran batter Suzie Bates, playing her 350th international match, was out LBW on the very first ball off Marizanne Kapp. Although Amelia Kerr (23) and Georgia Plimmer (31) added 44 runs for the second wicket, neither could convert their good starts into big innings.
Subsequently, captain Sophie Devine held one end and played an excellent innings of 85 runs. She formed valuable partnerships for the fourth and fifth wickets. By the 38th over, New Zealand's score was 184 runs for 3 wickets, and the team appeared to be in a b position. However, after that, the entire team collapsed. The last seven wickets fell within just 44 runs, and New Zealand's entire innings concluded at 231 runs in 47.5 overs.
South African spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba delivered a brilliant bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs. Nadine de Klerk and Marizanne Kapp also bowled tight spells, completely slowing down New Zealand's scoring rate.
South Africa's Splendid Victory
Chasing a target of 231 runs, South Africa lost an early wicket, but the partnership of Brits and Luus performed remarkably. Both batters not only scored runs but also maintained the run rate. During the match, Brits played with confidence on the pitch, attacking both spin and pace bowlers. Meanwhile, Luus anchored the innings and remained unbeaten until the end.
When Brits was dismissed, the score was 173 runs. Subsequently, Marizanne Kapp (14) and Anneke Bosch (0) were quickly out, but Luus, along with Sinalo Jafta (unbeaten 6), guided the team to the target in 40.5 overs.
