Tazmin Brits struck a quick fire century to lead South Africa to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in their Women’s World Cup fixture at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Earlier left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba's four-wicket haul had helped trigger a collapse and restrict New Zealand to 231, Brits' 101 off 89 balls and an unbeaten 83 from Sune Luus took the Proteas home in 40.5 overs.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand's innings was anchored by captain Sophie Devine, who scored 85 from 98 balls in her 300th international appearance. A crucial 86-run fourth-wicket partnership between Devine and Brooke Halliday, 45 off 37 positioned the White Ferns for a competitive total at 187 for 3. However, Mlaba; 4/40, broke the stand by dismissing Halliday, initiating a meltdown. New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for just 44 runs, getting bowled out with 13 balls remaining in their innings.
In pursuit of 232, South Africa lost captain Laura Wolvaardt early before Brits and Luus took control. The pair constructed a 159-run partnership for the second wicket. Brits was the aggressor, reaching her century with 15 fours and a six, while Luus provided steady support, eventually seeing the team home. Despite a few late wickets after Brits was bowled by Lea Tahuhu, the outcome was never in doubt, and the victory improved South Africa's net run rate from -3.733 to -1.402.
Brits’ century was her fifth in ODIs in 2025, the most by a woman in a single calendar year. She also became the fastest woman to score seven ODI hundreds, achieving the feat in 41 innings and surpassing Meg Lanning's record of 44 innings. Earlier in the day, South Africa's Chloe Tryon claimed her 100th international wicket when she dismissed Georgia Plimmer.
The result provides South Africa with their first points of the tournament, while New Zealand slumped to their second consecutive defeat. Reflecting on the performance, Captain Laura Wolvaardt said, “Such an amazing turnaround. This is what we knew we were capable of, really happy of how quickly we put that behind us and bounced back today.” South Africa will next face hosts India, while New Zealand will look to regroup against Bangladesh.
