South Africa produced a stunning comeback performance to defeat New Zealand by 6 wickets in the 7th match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at Holkar Stadium, Indore. The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for the Proteas after their devastating 69 all-out collapse against England in their tournament opener.
The match will be remembered for Tazmin Brits’ historic century, which saw her become the first woman cricketer to score five ODI centuries in a single calendar year, breaking Smriti Mandhana’s previous record of four centuries. Her magnificent 101 off 89 balls, featuring 15 fours and a six, anchored South Africa’s successful chase of 232 runs.
Match Summary: South Africa’s Statement Victory
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first, seeking redemption after their 89-run defeat to Australia in the tournament opener. However, despite reaching 231 runs in 47.5 overs, the White Ferns found themselves on the wrong side of history as South Africa chased down the target with 55 balls to spare.
The match carried significant emotional weight, with both Devine and Suzie Bates achieving remarkable personal milestones. Devine played her 300th international match, while Bates became the first woman to reach 350 international appearances.
New Zealand Innings: 231/10 (47.5 overs)
Sophie Devine led from the front with a masterful 85 off 98 balls, including nine boundaries, marking her 17th ODI half-century. Her innings demonstrated the class and experience that has defined her illustrious career spanning nearly two decades.
Brooke Halliday provided excellent support with a quickfire 45 off 37 balls, striking at 121.62 and forming a crucial 88-run partnership with Devine. The partnership rescued New Zealand from a precarious position after early wickets had left them struggling.
Georgia Plimmer, the promising 21-year-old opener, contributed a steady 31 off 68 balls, while Amelia Kerr added 23 runs before falling to Nadine de Klerk.
The New Zealand innings was significantly hampered by Nonkululeko Mlaba’s exceptional bowling performance. The 25-year-old left-arm spinner claimed 4 wickets for 40 runs in her 10-over spell, including the crucial dismissals of Devine and Halliday.
Tazmin Brits: Breaking Records and Making History
The South African opener’s century was nothing short of spectacular, coming at the perfect time when her team needed inspiration after their humiliating defeat to England. Brits’ 101 off 89 balls featured 15 boundaries and a six, showcasing her full range of strokes and temperament under pressure.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Brits’ fifth ODI century of 2025 surpassed the previous record held by India’s Smriti Mandhana, who had scored four centuries in both 2024 and 2025. This remarkable feat makes her the first woman cricketer to achieve five ODI centuries in a single calendar year, a record that may stand for years to come.
Additionally, Brits became the fastest player to reach seven ODI centuries, achieving this milestone in just 41 innings and surpassing Australian legend Meg Lanning’s previous record of 44 innings.
Brits’ 2025 Statistics
Following her century celebration with a bow-and-arrow gesture, Brits was eventually dismissed by Lea Tahuhu for 101, but by then South Africa had reached 185/2, well on track for victory.
Suné Luus: The Perfect Partner
Suné Luus provided the ideal foil to Brits’ aggressive approach, remaining unbeaten on 83 off 114 balls with 10 fours and a six. The experienced all-rounder’s composed innings ensured South Africa crossed the finishing line without any late drama.
The 159-run partnership between Brits and Luus for the second wicket effectively decided the match, transforming South Africa’s position from a potentially tricky chase into a comfortable victory.
Luus, who previously served as South Africa’s captain before stepping down to focus on her cricket, demonstrated her class and experience in guiding the team home.
Milestone Celebrations: Devine and Bates Make History
Sophie Devine’s 300th International
The match held special significance for New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who became only the seventh woman cricketer to play 300 international matches. Her teammates presented her with touching tributes, including a ‘wee pounamu’ (traditional Māori greenstone) symbolizing strength and identity, and a customized bat featuring her career achievements.
Devine’s international career began in October 2006 as a 17-year-old against Australia, and she has since accumulated impressive statistics across formats:
- ODIs: 153 matches, 4,102 runs, 10 centuries
- T20Is: 146 matches, 3,431 runs
- Total Wickets: 226 across all formats
Suzie Bates: First to 350 Internationals
Suzie Bates achieved an even more remarkable milestone, becoming the first woman cricketer to play 350 international matches. The 38-year-old veteran has been a pillar of New Zealand cricket since her debut in 2006.
Despite the historic achievement, Bates endured a disappointing day with the bat, falling for a golden duck to Marizanne Kapp on the very first ball of the innings. This marked her second consecutive duck in the tournament.
Bates’ Career Statistics:
- ODI Runs: 5,896 runs (3rd highest all-time)
- ODI Centuries: 13 (joint-second with Smriti Mandhana)
- T20I Runs: 4,716 runs
- ODI Wickets: 81 wickets
South African Bowling Excellence
Nonkululeko Mlaba: Spin to Win
The star of South Africa’s bowling performance was undoubtedly Nonkululeko Mlaba, whose 4/40 figures proved decisive in restricting New Zealand to a chaseable total. The left-arm orthodox spinner’s victims included Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, and Lea Tahuhu.
Mlaba’s bowling performance was a masterclass in spin bowling on Indian pitches, utilizing flight, turn, and variations to outfox the New Zealand batters. Her ability to break partnerships at crucial moments proved invaluable for South Africa.
Supporting Cast
Marizanne Kapp provided the early breakthrough, dismissing Suzie Bates with the very first ball of the match. The veteran all-rounder also contributed with the run-out of Izzy Gaze, showcasing her fielding skills.
Nadine de Klerk claimed the wicket of Amelia Kerr, while Ayabonga Khaka and Chloe Tryon chipped in with crucial wickets to maintain pressure throughout the New Zealand innings.
Key Players Profile
Laura Wolvaardt: Leading from the Front
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, despite a brief innings of 14 runs, has been instrumental in the team’s recent success. The 25-year-old has already established herself as one of the premier batters in world cricket with impressive records across all formats.
Wolvaardt’s Career Highlights:
- ODI Centuries: 7
- T20I Century: 1 (102 vs Sri Lanka in 2024)
- Test Century: 1 (122 vs India in 2024)
- Captaincy Record: Mixed but improving with notable achievements
Brooke Halliday: Rising Star
New Zealand’s Brooke Halliday continued her impressive form with a quickfire 45 off 37 balls. The 29-year-old all-rounder has been a consistent performer since her international debut in 2021, averaging 27.37 in ODIs with 6 half-centuries.
Halliday’s ability to accelerate the innings and form partnerships makes her a valuable asset for New Zealand in the middle order.
Georgia Plimmer: Future of New Zealand Cricket
At just 21, Georgia Plimmer represents the bright future of New Zealand women’s cricket. Her contribution of 31 runs, while modest, demonstrated the temperament and technique that have marked her as a special talent.
Plimmer’s rapid rise through the ranks, including her standout performance in the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup where she scored 155 runs at an average of 51.66, highlights her potential.
Tournament Context and Implications
South Africa’s Redemption
This victory represented a remarkable turnaround for South Africa after their humiliating 69 all-out against England. Sinalo Jafta, who top-scored with 22 in that match, emphasized the team’s determination to bounce back and learn from the setback.
The wicketkeeper-batter reflected on the importance of not dwelling on the past and taking each game as it comes, demonstrating the mental resilience that has characterized South African cricket.
New Zealand’s Struggles Continue
For New Zealand, this defeat marked their second consecutive loss in the tournament, raising concerns about their campaign prospects. Despite the individual milestones achieved by Devine and Bates, the team’s inability to defend totals against quality opposition remains a worry.
The White Ferns will need to regroup quickly and address their bowling concerns, particularly against aggressive batting lineups like South Africa’s.
Head-to-Head and Historical Context
The victory helped South Africa narrow the gap in their ODI head-to-head record against New Zealand, though the White Ferns still lead the overall series 12-8. However, South Africa had won their most recent bilateral series 2-1 when New Zealand toured in 2023.
This match also marked South Africa’s first victory in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, providing crucial momentum for their remaining group stage matches.
Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
The historic Holkar Stadium in Indore provided the perfect backdrop for this memorable encounter. The venue, known for its batting-friendly conditions and excellent facilities, has hosted numerous memorable cricket matches over the years.
The stadium’s capacity crowd witnessed history being made as both teams produced entertaining cricket worthy of the World Cup stage.
Tournament Standings and Future Implications
With this victory, South Africa opened their account in the tournament and gained valuable confidence ahead of their remaining group matches. The comprehensive nature of the win, achieved with 55 balls to spare, will boost their net run rate significantly.
For New Zealand, the defeat puts additional pressure on their remaining group stage matches, with the need for consistent performances becoming increasingly urgent.
Statistical Highlights
- Tazmin Brits: First woman to score 5 ODI centuries in a calendar year
- Suzie Bates: First woman to play 350 international matches
- Sophie Devine: Seventh woman to play 300 international matches
- Nonkululeko Mlaba: Career-best ODI figures of 4/40
- Partnership Record: 159-run stand between Brits and Luus for the second wicket
This match will be remembered as a defining moment in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, showcasing the resilience of the South African team and the record-breaking achievements of individual players. With Tazmin Brits leading the charge and the bowling attack finding its rhythm, South Africa have announced themselves as serious contenders for the title.
The tournament continues to provide compelling narratives, from New Zealand’s milestone celebrations to South Africa’s remarkable comeback story. As the group stage progresses, both teams will carry the lessons from this encounter into their remaining matches, with South Africa riding high on confidence and New Zealand seeking to rediscover their winning formula.