South Africa gets first victory in CWC25

Tasmin Brits’ fluent century guided South Africa back to winning ways as they beat New Zealand by six wickets in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. 

South Africa opened their account with a comfortable six-wicket win over New Zealand in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

The Proteas bounced back strongly after their 10-wicket defeat to England in the tournament opener. Meanwhile the White Ferns have now suffered consecutive losses, having gone down to Australia in their first game.

Tasmin Brits led the chase with a superb century (101 off 89 balls), an innings that featured 15 fours while Sune Luus (83*) supported her with a composed half century as South Africa comfortably chased down the target of 232. Amelia Kerr picked up the last two wickets, dismissing Anneke Bosch and Marizanne Kapp but by then the result was beyond reach.

Brits and Luus shared a 159-run stand for the second wicket that put South Africa firmly in control after the early dismissal of Laura Wolvaardt. The pair’s partnership effectively took the game away from New Zealand.

Apart from Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu (who claimed the key wicket of Brits) were also among the wickets but their efforts could not prevent South Africa from sealing the win.

Mlaba also claimed the wicket of Brooke Halliday, who was caught and bowled that saw her 88-run stand with Sophie Devine to an end. Sophie Devine had brought up her 17th ODI half-century, leading New Zealand’s recovery alongside Halliday, who offered solid support with a crucial knock.

The pair stitched together another valuable 50-run stand, helping rebuild the innings after NZ went down to three wickets. But after her dismissal, Devine found little support from the other end with New Zealand losing wickets at regular intervals.

Earlier, Chloe Tryon struck in her very first over, dismissing Georgia Plimmer and breaking a crucial partnership with Sophie Devine. Plimmer and Devine had guided the White Ferns past the 100-run mark, steadying the innings after Amelia Kerr’s dismissal for the second wicket. Marizanne Kapp had claimed a wicket on the very first ball of the innings by trapping Suzie Bates LBW.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa.

Both teams were hoping to open their account after defeats in their opening games as they face off in a mouth-watering clash at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

The game also marks significant milestones for three stalwarts. Sophie Devine features in her 300th international match, Suzie Bates in her 350th and Marizanne Kapp becomes South Africa’s most-capped ODI player with 155 appearances.

The White Ferns were dealt a blow leading up to the game in the form of an injury, with Hannah Rowe replacing Flora Devonshire in their 15-member unit.

Opening their campaign against defending champions Australia, New Zealand were dealt a major loss despite the heroics of captain Sophie Devine with the bat.

Meanwhile, the Proteas are also coming on the back of a loss against England, having been dismissed for their second-lowest score in Women's Cricket World Cup history.

Squads:

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase. Reserves: Miane Smit