South Africa put behind the horror show of its opener in style as it beat New Zealand by six wickets in a Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 league match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

The Protean Women denied the White Ferns any chance of setting a large total after inflicting some late damage courtesy of Nonkululeko Mlaba’s witty spell. The fielders were also on top of their game, restricting the easy runs and pressurising a largely Sophie Devine-dependent side.

Proteas opener Tazmin Brits ensured that the bowling efforts were rewarded adequately, hammering an 87-ball century, her fifth of the year, to all but guarantee South Africa its first win of the edition.

Sune Luus, who shared the workload with Brits, saw the side over the line.

Here are some of the talking points from the match:

Devine’s lone show

Once again, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine was left to carry her team through the innings. While she did receive ample support from opener Georgia Plimmer and Brooke Halliday, the middle- and lower-order failed to make any significant contributions.

Devine and Halliday’s 86-run fourth-run stand looked dangerous before the latter was dismissed by Mlaba.

Thereafter, the White Ferns’ batting line-up withered away in quick time, with the last seven wickets only adding 44 runs. Devine looked set to score a second consecutive hundred but was denied by Mlaba. Her 98-ball 85 made one-third of New Zealand’s 231 total, and the colossal collapse cost it significantly.

Mlaba Magic

Mlaba was the only South African bowler to complete her quota of overs, finishing with a four-wicket haul.

Reintroduced in the 39th over after a quiet spell, Mlaba’s second stint proved decisive. Her first scalp broke a budding partnership between Devine and Halliday. She struck again in her very next over, removing Maddy Green for a single-digit score.

The biggest one, however, was of big-hitting Devine. Her smart use of variations deceived the skipper, who looked to flick it away but was beaten. The ball glanced off the pads and ricocheted onto the stumps. Wolvaardt then took a terrific catch at cover to hand Mlaba her fourth scalp.

Unforgiving Brits-Luus partnership

After skipper Wolvaardt perished early, Brits and Luus took matters into their hands, stitching a massive 159-run partnership for the second wicket to put South Africa firmly in the driver’s seat.

The opener Brits, who has had an exceptional 2025, scored her fifth century of the year. Her 87-ball ton included 15 fours and one six.

She and Luus dictated the majority of the innings. Luus, former SA skipper, also brought up a crucial half-century and saw South Africa over the line despite a few wickets at the fag end.

Published on Oct 06, 2025