A Tazmin Brits century helped South Africa shake off their thrashing by England to get their campaign up and running
Tazmin Brits has smashed 101 off 89 balls as South Africa overcame New Zealand by six wickets at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Brits hit 15 fours and a six as the Proteas put up a turnaround batting performance to score 4-234 in 40.5 overs. They had been bowled out for 69 against England in their first game.
Sune Luus scored 83 not out off 114 balls as South Africa registered their first win and points of the 50-over tournament.
Earlier, skipper Sophie Devine struck 85 as New Zealand were bowled out for 231 after opting to bat. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up 4-40 in 10 overs – her second-best career figures.
“I am glad we could pull off this win, and we definitely needed it after the first game,” said Brits.
She added: “It is the first time I used this bat – it’s going to be my lucky bat from now on.”
New Zealand made a poor start, losing Suzie Bates, leg before to Marizanne Kapp off the first ball of the game.
Georgia Plimmer (31) and Melie Kerr (23) added 44 for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed.
Plimmer then added another 57 with in-form Devine.
Devine followed up her century in the first game against Australia with 50 off 68 balls, putting on 86 with Brooke Halliday (45).
But Mlaba returned for her second spell and wrecked the innings, with New Zealand losing the last seven wickets for 44 runs, including two run outs.
In reply, Brits raced to 50 off 44 balls despite losing skipper Laura Wolvaardt for 14.
Brits and Luus then put on 159 for the second wicket – South Africa’s best partnership for any wicket in their tournament history.
Having scored three hundreds in her previous four ODIs, Brits reached her fifth century in 2025 off 87 balls. She also overtook Australia’s Meg Lanning by scoring seven ODI hundreds in the fewest innings – 41 to Lanning’s 44.
South Africa suffered a few hiccups and slipped to 4-213. Luus, though, made sure there were no further issues as she hit the winning runs with 55 balls to spare.
South Africa next meet hosts India on Thursday while New Zealand, who lost their first game against Australia by 89 runs, play Bangladesh on Friday.
Earlier, Pakistan batter Sidra Amin was given one demerit point for breaching the ICC’s code of conduct during Sunday’s defeat to India.
Amin top-scored with 81 runs but was charged with “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing” after hitting her bat forcefully onto the pitch after being dismissed in the 40th over.
All ICC Cricket World Cup matches to be broadcast exclusively live and free on Prime Video.
2025 Women’s ODI World Cup standings
Team
Matches played
M
Wins
W
Losses
L
Ties
T
No results
N/R
Net Run Rate
NRR
Deductions
Ded.
Total points
PTS
1
India Women
IND
2
2
0
0
0
1.515
0
4
2
Australia Women
AUS
2
1
0
0
1
1.78
0
3
3
England Women
ENG
1
1
0
0
0
3.773
0
2
4
Bangladesh Women
BAN
1
1
0
0
0
1.623
0
2
5
South Africa Women
SA
2
1
1
0
0
-1.402
0
2
6
Sri Lanka Women
SL
2
0
1
0
1
-1.255
0
1
7
New Zealand Women
NZ
2
0
2
0
0
-1.485
0
0
8
Pakistan Women
PAK
2
0
2
0
0
-1.777
0
0
Legend
M: Matches played
W: Wins
L: Losses
T: Ties
N/R: No results
NRR: Net Run Rate
Ded.: Deductions
PTS: Total points