Record-breaking Brits and Wolvaardt secure series win for Proteas Women

Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt struck crucial centuries to power the Proteas Women to an unassailable 2-0 lead with a hard-fought 25-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the second One-Day International (ODI) against Pakistan in Lahore on Friday.

Brits continued her outstanding run of form, finishing unbeaten on a career-best 171 from 141 balls (20x4, 4x6), while Wolvaardt recorded a patient 100 off 129 deliveries (10x4) as South Africa posted 292/3 in their 46 overs. Pakistan’s Sidra Amin delivered a spirited response with a superb 122 from 110 balls (13x4), but her side ultimately fell short, bowled out for 287 in pursuit of a revised target of 313.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the Proteas openers laid a superb foundation. Brits and Wolvaardt raced to a 50-run stand inside 10 overs and carried their side to 100/0 at the 20-over mark, with Brits bringing up her half-century along the way.

Wolvaardt soon followed suit, reaching her own fifty as the pair steadily advanced to 183/0 after 34 overs. Brits then brought up her third consecutive ODI century off 106 balls to become the first Proteas Women batter ever to achieve the milestone.

From there, Brits shifted gears, accelerating the scoring while Wolvaardt continued her measured approach. The Proteas reached 221/0 after 40 overs, before rain halted play at the end of the 41st over.

Following a delay of just over an hour, the match was reduced to 46 overs per side. Resuming after the interruption, Wolvaardt celebrated her ninth ODI century before falling to Diana Baig (2/45). The Pakistani seamer struck again with the very next ball, removing Nadine de Klerk (0) to leave South Africa 267/2 in the 44th over.

Brits remained undeterred, going past 150 for the first time in her career. After Annerie Dercksen (3) was dismissed late on, the Proteas closed on 292/3 from their allotted 46 overs.

Defending a DLS-adjusted target of 313, the South Africans struck early when Marizanne Kapp (2/37) removed Muneeba Ali (1). Omaima Sohail (43) and Amin then rebuilt the innings, guiding Pakistan to 58/1 after 10 overs before Sohail was bowled by Masabata Klaas (1/28).

Amin then combined with Aliya Riaz (18) to take the score to 101/2, but Nondumiso Shangase (1/49) ended the partnership in the 20th over. Still needing 216 runs from 26 overs, Amin found a strong partner in Natalia Pervaiz (73). The pair put on 146 for the fourth wicket, with both batters reaching their respective milestones while riding their luck after a few missed chances in the field, to keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.

Tryon eventually broke the stand, dismissing Amin before also removing Fatima Sana (5), swinging the momentum back in South Africa’s favour. With Pakistan now 269/5, wickets began to fall quickly.

De Klerk (3/45) mopped up the middle and lower order, claiming three of the last five wickets, while Kapp and a run-out accounted for the other two scalps. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 287 after 44.4 overs, handing South Africa a tense but deserved victory. The third and final ODI will take place on Monday at the Gaddafi Stadium from 3.30pm local time (12.30pm SAST).

Proteas Women Squad - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 & Pakistan Tour

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, and Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit

Management

Mandla Mashimbyi (Head Coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (Team Manager), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Baakier Abrahams (Batting Coach), Dillon du Preez (Bowling Coach), Bongani Ndaba (Fielding Coach), Zane Webster (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Abram Ramoadi (Performance Analyst), Neline Hoffman-Kellerman (Physiotherapist), Dr Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (Team Doctor), Happiness Mesi (Logistics and Massage Therapist), Lita Gqirana (Media Manager) and Zahid Shaik (Close Protection Officer).

Fixtures - Pakistan Tour (All times are SAST)

Tuesday @ 12.30pm - 1st ODI: Pakistan v South Africa (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore) - SA won by eight wickets

Friday @ 12.30pm - 2nd ODI: Pakistan v South Africa (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore) - SA won by 25 runs (DLS system)

Monday @ 12.30pm - 3rd ODI: Pakistan v South Africa (Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday, 3 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati)

Monday, 6 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Thursday, 9 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Monday, 13 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday, 17 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 2 November @ 11.30am - Final (TBC)