Proteas Women bounce back in style to level series with New Zealand

Tazmin Brits, Kayla Reyneke, Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba produced standout performances for the Proteas Women as they secured an 18-run triumph in the second T20 International (T20I) against New Zealand in Hamilton on Tuesday. The victory levels the five-match series at 1-1.

Brits raised her bat for a 43-ball 53 (5x4, 3x6), alongside Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 41 and an explosive cameo from Reyneke (28*), who dispatched three sixes in a row in the final over to propel the visitors to 177/5. With the ball in hand, Khaka’s 4/27 and Mlaba’s return of 3/27 restricted the White Ferns to 159 all out with five balls to spare.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa got off to a flier through openers Brits and Suné Luus (31), with the latter playing the aggressor early on to help the tourists to 49/0 in the PowerPlay before departing off the bowling of Amelia Kerr (2/29).

Despite the loss of Luus, Brits and Wolvaardt continued to press on for the Proteas Women, with Brits bringing up her 15th T20I half-century to guide the side to 110/1 after 12 overs before New Zealand counterpunched with three quick wickets. Skipper Kerr got the better of Brits before Jess Kerr (2/34) bowled Annerie Dercksen (2), while a run-out accounted for Chloé Tryon (2) to leave South Africa 120/4 in the 15th over.

With wickets falling at the other end, Wolvaardt kept the innings together, anchoring the remaining overs despite losing another partner in Nadine de Klerk (4) in the 18th over. Walking to the crease with the score on 143/5, Reyneke combined brilliantly with the Wolvaardt, as the pair added 34 runs in the final 13 balls, including 21 runs in the last over, to lift the Proteas to a commanding total.

In the chase, New Zealand lost both their opening batters in the PowerPlay, with Dercksen (1/11) and Khaka dismissing Georgia Plimmer (1) and Izzy Gaze (6) before the experienced duo of Amelia Kerr (32) and Sophie Devine (25) guided the hosts to 63/2.

Their 39-run stand for the third wicket was brought to a halt by Mlaba, who trapped Amelia Kerr LBW at the end of the seventh over, before De Klerk (1/23) beat Devine’s bat in the following over to leave the White Ferns 72/4.

Despite a further partnership of 29 between Brooke Halliday (16) and Maddy Green (18), which helped the home side bring up three figures, South Africa continued to pick up wickets at key moments. Khaka claimed the scalps of Halliday and Green before Mlaba spun Suzie Bates (1) back to the changeroom.

Izzy Sharp (29) and Jess Kerr (14) added a valiant 42 runs for the eighth wicket in an attempt to stage a rescue act but the final say belonged to the South African bowlers. Mlaba and Khaka removed both batters before a run-out of Rosemary Mair (7) brought the contest to an end, sealing the win for the Proteas Women.

The third T20I will take place at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday at 2.45pm local time (3.45am SAST).

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans) (Captain), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province).

*Uncapped in ODI

Fixtures

T20I Series

First T20I Sunday, 15 March at 3.45am (SAST) - Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui - NZ won by 80 runs.

Second T20I Tuesday, 17 March at 3.45am (SAST) - Seddon Park, Hamilton - SA won by 18 runs

Third T20I Friday, 20 March at 3.45am (SAST) - Eden Park, Auckland

Fourth T20I Sunday, 22 March at 3.45am (SAST) - Sky Stadium, Wellington

Fifth T20I Wednesday, 25 March at 3.45am (SAST) - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

ICC Women’s Championship ODI Series

First ODI Sunday, 29 March at 3am (SAST) - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Second ODI Wednesday, 1 April at Midnight (SAST) - Basin Reserve, Wellington

Third ODI Saturday, 4 April at Midnight (SAST) - Basin Reserve, Wellington