What a difference a few days can make in cricket. Just four nights after a crushing, humiliating defeat against England where they were bundled out for a mere 69, South Africa stormed back in absolute style. They didn't just win; they dominated, securing a commanding six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Indore and reminding everyone why they are a force to be reckoned with in this World Cup.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Tazmin Brits smashes her fifth ODI hundred of 2025—the most ever by a woman in a calendar year.
- ✓ South Africa stages an incredible comeback, winning by six wickets after being bowled out for 69 in their previous match.
- ✓ Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba turns the game with a stunning spell of 4 for 40.
- ✓ Brits and Sune Luus build a record 159-run partnership, South Africa's highest in Women's World Cup history.
- ✓ New Zealand suffers a dramatic collapse, losing their last 7 wickets for just 44 runs.
The Collapse That Set the Stage
Earlier in the day, after New Zealand chose to bat, things looked incredibly shaky from the get-go. Veteran Suzie Bates, in her 350th international match, was sent back for a golden duck off the very first ball. Recent reports indicate that It was a rocky start, and the White Ferns spent the early part of their innings just trying to find their footing against some disciplined South African bowling.
Slowly but surely, they started to rebuild. The innings was anchored by their captain, the ever-reliable Sophie Devine. She was measured at first, taking 66 balls for her half-century, but her presence was exactly what New Zealand needed. When Brooke Halliday came to the crease, the momentum really shifted. Halliday played a blinder, smashing 45 off just 37 balls with an array of sweeps and reverse-sweeps that briefly gave South Africa the shivers.
Together, Devine and Halliday put on a quickfire 86-run partnership. At 187 for 3 in the 38th over, New Zealand looked perfectly poised for a extensive finish, probably eyeing a total around 270. But that's when the wheels didn't just come off—they flew off in spectacular fashion. The architect of the destruction was the brilliant left-arm spinner, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Mlaba's Game-Changing Spell
It all started when Halliday tried one slog-sweep too many and top-edged a catch. That dismissal opened the floodgates. Mlaba followed it up by getting Maddy Green out with an ill-advised reverse sweep. The pressure mounted, and soon after, the extensive wicket of Devine fell for a hard-fought 85. Her dismissal had a deflating effect on the entire lineup, and Ayabonga Khaka came in to clean up the tail.
It was an innings of two halves for New Zealand. They played themselves into a hole early on, consuming 72 dot balls in the first 15 overs, before Devine and Halliday bailed them out. But all that good work was completely undone by a terrible final 10 overs, leaving them with a total that felt well below par on a decent batting track.
The Tazmin Brits Show Begins
Chasing 232, South Africa needed a solid start to calm the nerves from their previous outing. They did lose their skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, early, trapped LBW by Jess Kerr. For a moment, it felt like New Zealand might have a chance to apply some pressure. But that was pretty much the last bit of real joy the Kiwis would experience for the next couple of hours.
What followed was an absolute masterclass in chasing from Tazmin Brits, with the tenacious Sune Luus playing the perfect supporting role. Brits was in a league of her own. Her innings was a high-tempo exhibition of stunning shot-making. She took a particular liking to star spinner Amelia Kerr, hitting her for a flurry of boundaries to completely neutralize any threat she posed.
After a steady start, Brits just exploded after the 10-over mark. At one point, she hit five boundaries in the space of nine deliveries, racing to a 44-ball half-century—her fastest ever in ODIs. Her strategy was simple but devastatingly effective: use her feet, get to the pitch of the ball, and bludgeon the spinners down the ground. It was thrilling to watch.
A Partnership for the Ages
While Brits was flying, Sune Luus was fighting. One key aspect to consider is She wasn't finding her timing as easily, but she dug in, battled hard, and provided the stability her partner needed to play with freedom. The contrast in their styles was perfect. Brits' counter-attack gave Luus the time she needed to find her feet, and the reward for her tenacity was a crucial half-century off 76 balls. Analysts note that
Together, they put on a record-breaking 159-run partnership for the third wicket, which is now South Africa's highest ever in a Women's World Cup. They completely deflated the New Zealand attack and made the chase look ridiculously easy. Brits eventually fell for a magnificent 101, bowled by Lea Tahuhu while attempting a pull shot, but by then, the damage was well and truly done.
Sealing the Deal and Looking Ahead
The Player of the Match, Brits, celebrated her century with a memorable bow-and-arrow gesture. She later explained it was a special request from two young fans, one in Australia and one in South Africa. It was a lovely, personal touch to a truly remarkable innings. We should also mention She even joked that she was using a new bat for the first time, and that it might just be her "lucky one" going forward.
Even after Brits' dismissal, and a couple of late wickets as South Africa tried to hurry to the finish line, the result was a foregone conclusion. Sune Luus remained unbeaten on a brilliant 83, hitting the winning runs with a confident lofted shot over extra cover. South Africa reached the target in just 40. 5 overs, a huge boost to their net run rate which had taken a massive hit against England.
After the match, captain Laura Wolvaardt was full of praise for her team's character. She highlighted their execution in the death overs as "outstanding" and called Brits' form "phenomenal. " For New Zealand, it's back to the drawing board. It's their second heavy defeat in a row, leaving them at the bottom of the table. Captain Sophie Devine admitted their constant loss of wickets was a major issue, stating, "you can't win by playing just half a game. "
Conclusion
This wasn't just a win for South Africa; it was a statement. They transformed from a team in tatters to a dominant force in a matter of days. The twin brilliance of Nonkululeko Mlaba's game-changing bowling and Tazmin Brits' historic, record-setting century has put their campaign firmly back on track. They now ride a massive wave of confidence into their next crucial clash against the hosts, India, while New Zealand will be desperate to find some answers before they face Bangladesh.
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