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- New Zealand vs South Africa Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Tazmin Brits’ brilliant century guides SA to commanding win over NZ
New Zealand vs South Africa Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Tazmin Brits’ brilliant century guides SA to commanding win over NZ
The victory was built on the twin brilliance of Tazmin Brits and Nonkululeko Mlaba. Mlaba produced a game-changing spell of 4/40, dismantling the New Zealand middle order and restricting the White Ferns to 231. She removed captain Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday and also contributed to a run-out, triggering a collapse that denied New Zealand the chance to reach a formidable total. The early dismissal of veteran Suzie Bates for a golden duck in her 350th international match added to the visitors’ woes.
Chasing 231, South Africa got off to a strong start, but the wicket of Laura Wolvaardt, trapped LBW by Jess Kerr, could have disrupted the chase. However, Brits and Sune Luus steadied the innings, constructing a record 159-run third-wicket partnership, South Africa’s highest in Women’s World Cup history. Brits’ 101 off 89 balls featured 15 fours and a six, while Luus contributed an unbeaten 81 from 114 balls, including nine fours and a six. Brits reached her fifty in just 44 balls, the fastest of her ODI career, and celebrated her century with a bow-and-arrow gesture toward teammates.
South Africa’s dominant win not only highlighted their batting and bowling depth but also boosted them from the bottom of the table to fifth place, improving their Net Run Rate from -3.773 to -1.424. New Zealand, meanwhile, remain at the bottom after two losses, with their next match against Bangladesh in Guwahati on October 10.
With this victory, South Africa Women have signaled they are serious contenders, blending explosive batting with disciplined bowling. Their next challenge comes against tournament hosts India in Visakhapatnam on October 9, setting up an intriguing clash between two in-form sides.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, A bit shorter and around middle and leg, Devine uses her feet and tries to flick it but misses. Wears it high on her back thigh.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Izzy Gaze, Sliding on the pads, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Izzy Gaze is in at number 7.
New Zealand Women are steadily building towards a strong total here. A well-timed acceleration in the 31-40 over phase has yielded 64 runs for the loss of just one wicket. But for that, Sophie Devine will have to bat till the last ball.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Maddy Green, OUT! TAKEN! Mlaba with two quick wickets! Half of the New Zealand Women's side is back in the hut now! Mlaba keeps it slower and fuller, around middle and leg. Maddy Green tries to be cheeky as she switches her stance and grip for a reverse-sweep. But as she gets too close to the pitch of the delivery, she doesn't get the desired elevation. She holes out straight to backward point, where Anneke Bosch moves to her left a bit, extends both her hands and pouches it. The Proteas are in joy, and Maddy departs for cheaply 4 (7). From 187/3, New Zealand Women have slipped down to 195/5.
- Maddy Green 4 (6)
- Sophie Devine 73 (86)
Nadine De Klerk to Maddy Green, Touch full and in front of the sticks, Maddy Green drives it straight down the ground, between mid on and mid off for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, Around the leg stump on a fuller length. Sophie Devine steers it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Maddy Green, Full and on middle, this is drilled down to long on for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, Short one, on the stumps. Sophie Devine works it to deep square leg for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Maddy Green, Length-delivery, on middle and leg, Maddy Green works it to long on for one.
Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, JUST HOME! Slanting on the pads, on a good length. Sophie Devine is rushed on the back foot and misses to pull it away. The ball deflects off the thigh pad and rolls to the right of short fine leg. Devine calls Green through for a leg bye, but Ayabonga Khaka at short fine leg is quick to dive and release a direct hit at the batting end. Green is forced to put on the afterburners and slides her bat in time before the ball smashes the stumps. The replay confirms the same.
- Maddy Green 1 (3)
- Sophie Devine 71 (83)
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Maddy Green, Outside leg, on a fullish length. Maddy Green tries to flick it to the mid-wicket region, but gets a leading edge and the ball rolls toward cover. A successful over for Mlaba and the Proteas.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Maddy Green, Slides in on a fuller length, flicked to square leg.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, Full and angling into the batter, Devine clips it uppsihly to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Sophie Devine, REVIEW UNSUCCESSFUL! This is full and drifting into the batter from middle. Sophie Devine gets low and tries to slog that towards the leg side, but the ball passes close to the inside edge and thuds on the front pad. A huge appeal for LBW from the keeper and the bowler, but not entertained by the umpire. This has been instantly reviewed by Laura Wolvaardt for a review. UltraEdge, though, shows that there is a clear spike when the ball is next to the inside edge. NOT OUT and South Africa Women have burnt a review.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Maddy Green, Fuller and on middle, Maddy pushes it down to long on for a single.
Maddy Green walks in next to bat.
Another change. Nonkululeko Mlaba is back. 5-0-22-0 so far.
Nonkululeko Mlaba to Brooke Halliday, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Good captaincy from Laura Wolvaardt as Nonkululeko Mlaba breaks this 86-run partnership and provides a desperate breakthrough for her side. She pushes it quicker and flatter, from around the stumps. Brooke Halliday tries to sweep this full ball from the off stump, but gets a thick top edge and the ball pops up in the air, to the left of the bowler. Mlaba calls for her catch and holds onto a simple catch. The Proteas will be relieved to get a wicket here. Brooke Halliday departs for a well-constructed 45 off just 37. New Zealand Women are 187/4 after 38.1 overs.
- Sophie Devine 70 (81)
- Brooke Halliday 45 (36)
Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, Full and pitched outside off. Sophie Devine lofts it over cover-point and hurries back for the second.
Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, Full and quick, on middle, angling in. Brooke Halliday flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, Outside off, full in length, carved between short third and backward point for a single.
Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, Shortish delivery, outside off, chopped to the backward point fielder. The ball is parried towards the cover fielder and they cross.
Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, WIDE! Looped down leg, Brooke misses to sweep it away. Wide given.
Nadine De Klerk to Sophie Devine, Devine knocks this short ball to long on for a single.
A change. Nadine De Klerk returns. 5-0-19-1 so far.
Nadine De Klerk to Brooke Halliday, Short ball around off. Halliday pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
- Brooke Halliday 42 (33)
- Sophie Devine 66 (78)
Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, ALMOST A RUN OUT CHANCE! Too full and around off from Luus. Brooke Halliday carves it to the cover fielder, where Anneke Bosch dives to her left. Devine is stranded mid-pitch, struggling to reach the danger end. Bosch releases a flat throw towards the keeper, but Sinalo Jafta fails to hold onto the throw, allowing Devine to slide her bat in.
Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Short on off, Halliday knocks it to extra cover.
Sune Luus to Sophie Devine, Full and around off, driven to long off for a single.
Sune Luus to Sophie Devine, FOUR! Pressure creeping into the Proteas camp! Too full and on the leg stump, further drifting down. Sophie Devine reads the length early and sweeps it to beat the deep mid-wicket fielder to her right for a boundary.
Sune Luus to Sophie Devine, FOUR! Powered away! Luus pushes it full and around middle. Sophie Devine dances down the track and heaves it wide of long on for a cracking boundary!
Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Shortish delivery, outside off, Brooke cuts off the back foot to deep point for a single.
- Sophie Devine 57 (75)
- Brooke Halliday 40 (30)
Masabata Klaas to Sophie Devine, Straight and full, on the fifth stump at 100.6 kph. Sophie Devine gets a giant stride forward and drives it straight to short cover. A couple of quiet overs as the last 18 balls have gone for 13 runs.
Masabata Klaas to Brooke Halliday, Full and angling in from around the stumps. Brooke Halliday gets across and flicks off the back foot to deep square leg for one more.
Masabata Klaas to Brooke Halliday, Nagging length, on the fourth stump. Brooke Halliday waits back and punches it to the right of the bowler.
Masabata Klaas to Sophie Devine, Wayward delivery, down leg, on a length. Sophie Devine swivels and tries to pull it away, but gets off the toe end due to the lack of bounce and it rolls to deep square leg for a single. Masabata Klaas will feel that she got away with this loosener.
Masabata Klaas to Brooke Halliday, Short and slow at 105.8 kph, Brooke Halliday gets it pulled away to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.
Masabata Klaas to Sophie Devine, Well outside off, on a good length. Sophie Devine steers it behind to deep third for one.
- Brooke Halliday 38 (27)
- Sophie Devine 55 (72)
Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Overpitched delivery, around off. Brooke Halliday carves it out towards backward point. 5 runs off the over. 9 off the last two overs for the White Ferns.
Sune Luus to Sophie Devine, Flighted up, full and on the middle stump. Sophie Devine gets on the front foot and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. Gets one more.
Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, This is quicker, shorter and outside off. Brooke cuts it wide of point for one more.
Sune Luus to Sophie Devine, Effective use of the feet from Devine as she drills the low full toss to the left of long off for a single.
Sune Luus to Brooke Halliday, Very slow through the air, at 71.6 kph, short and outside off. Brooke Halliday hangs back and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.
Sune Luus to Sophie Devine, Pushed fuller on the leg stump, at 74.1 kph. Sophie Devine flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike with a solo.
- Sophie Devine 52 (69)
- Brooke Halliday 36 (24)
Masabata Klaas to Sophie Devine, Fuller delivery at 96.9 kph, on middle, Sophie Devine whips it along the ground for a single at deep mid-wicket. Masabata Klaas' figures so far - 6-0-32-0.
Masabata Klaas to Brooke Halliday, On the stumps, on a length, Halliday gets across and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Masabata Klaas to Sophie Devine, A yard behind fuller length, outside off, Sophie rocks back and punches it through extra cover for a single.
Masabata Klaas to Sophie Devine, Short in length, around off, Devine hangs deep and chops it to backward point with soft hands.
Masabata Klaas to Brooke Halliday, On middle and leg, full in length, Halliday steers it away to deep square leg and gets a single.
Mlaba was the standout with the ball, claiming 4/40 and triggering a crucial middle-order collapse, including wickets of captain Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday, as well as contributing to a run-out. Her spell ensured New Zealand couldn’t push past 231 after a promising start at 195/4.
In response, Brits dominated the chase with 101 off 89 balls, her seventh ODI century and first in a World Cup, while Sune Luus remained unbeaten on 81, forging a record 159-run third-wicket partnership—South Africa’s highest in Women’s World Cup history. Brits’ fifty came off just 44 balls, showcasing her aggressive intent, while Luus rotated strike and played crucial shots to keep the chase on track.
This win lifted South Africa from the bottom to fifth in the standings, improving their Net Run Rate significantly. New Zealand, now last, will face Bangladesh next, while South Africa take on India in Visakhapatnam on October 9.
Match Statistics
Venue
Holkar Stadium, Indore
