Asked to bat first, South Africa got off to a brisk start through Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits, who stitched together a fluent 62-run opening stand. Luus was the early aggressor, striking 31 off 21 balls with five boundaries and a six before falling to Amelia Kerr. Brits then took charge, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 53 off 43 deliveries, laced with five fours and three sixes.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt provided stability in the middle overs with a composed 41 off 33 balls, ensuring the innings did not lose momentum despite regular wickets. South Africa crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over, but a brief slowdown followed as New Zealand’s spinners applied the brakes.

However, a late flourish turned the tide decisively. Kayla Reyneke provided the finishing kick with a blistering unbeaten 28 off just nine balls, smashing three consecutive sixes in the final over off Sophie Devine. Her late onslaught propelled South Africa to a formidable 177/5 in their 20 overs.

In response, New Zealand began on a positive note despite losing a couple of early wickets. Amelia Kerr counterattacked with a quickfire 32 off 18 balls, striking six boundaries, while Sophie Devine added 25 off 18 as the hosts raced to 71/3 inside seven overs.

Just as New Zealand looked well-placed, South Africa’s bowlers triggered a collapse. Ayabonga Khaka led the charge with a superb spell, finishing with 4-27, removing key batters including Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday in quick succession. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba complemented her brilliantly, claiming 3-27 and breaking the crucial partnership by dismissing both Amelia Kerr and, later, Suzie Bates.

The middle overs proved decisive as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from a promising position to 111/7.

South Africa maintained composure in the death overs, with Khaka returning to pick up another wicket and seal the game. A run-out in the final over ended New Zealand’s innings at 159/9, falling 18 runs short.

The middle overs proved decisive as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from a promising position to 111/7. Despite a late effort from Izzy Sharp, who top-scored with 29, and a brief cameo from Jess Kerr (14), the required rate kept climbing.

Brief scores: South Africa Women 177/5 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 53, Laura Wolvaardt 41; Amelia Kerr 2-29, Jess Kerr 2-34) beat New Zealand Women 159/10 in 19.1 overs (Amelia Kerr 32, Izzy Sharp 29; Ayabonga Khaka 4-27, Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-27) by 18 runs.