Image: South Africa cruised to a six-wicket win over New Zealand / © ESPNcricinfo
The Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore was buzzing under the floodlights on October 6, 2025, as New Zealand Women faced South Africa Women in a pulsating day-night clash at the ICC Women’s World Cup. Sophie Devine, New Zealand’s fearless captain, called the toss right and opted to bat, banking on the batsman-friendly pitch to stack up runs. They battled to 231 all out in 47.5 overs, a total stitched together with guts, a few dazzling bursts, and a late crumble that left them wishing for more. South Africa, though, chased it down like they were born for it, cruising to 234 for 4 in 40.5 overs to bag a six-wicket win with 55 balls left. Tazmin Brits’ electric century and Sune Luus’ ice-cool unbeaten half-century turned the chase into a masterclass, leaving New Zealand’s hopes in tatters.
New Zealand’s innings kicked off with a moment that sucked the air out of the stadium. Suzie Bates, their rock at the top, faced Marizanne Kapp’s first ball and was nailed lbw for a duck. The ball swung in like a missile, catching Bates flat-footed, and the umpire’s finger shot up before the crowd could process it. At 0 for 1, South Africa’s bowlers had landed a knockout punch. Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr were left to pick up the pieces on a pitch that promised runs but demanded patience. Plimmer scraped for 31 off 68 balls, her four boundaries hard-earned at a strike rate of 45.58, showing how tough it was to get going.
Kerr added 23 off 42 balls, stroking four fours at a strike rate of 54.76, her elegance a flicker of hope. Their 44-run stand for the second wicket was a grind, but it kept New Zealand afloat until Kerr nicked one to Sune Luus off Nadine de Klerk in the 13th over, leaving them at 44 for 2. Sophie Devine strode out, shoulders squared, ready to fight. She played a blinder, crafting 85 off 98 balls with nine crisp fours, striking at 86.73. Devine was the glue, soaking up pressure while picking her moments to attack. Her cover drives were a thing of beauty.
She first put on 57 with Plimmer for the third wicket, dragging the score to 101 before Plimmer fell, caught by de Klerk off Chloe Tryon’s spin in the 26th over. Then Brooke Halliday walked in and lit the fuse. Her 45 off 37 balls, with six boundaries and a strike rate of 121.62, was a burst of aggression that got the crowd roaring. Their 86-run fourth-wicket stand pushed New Zealand to 187 by the 38th over, and whispers of 250-plus started swirling.
But Nonkululeko Mlaba wasn’t having it. The South African spinner struck like lightning, snaring Halliday caught and bowled in the 38th over, killing the momentum. Mlaba was the game-changer, finishing with a brilliant 4 for 40 in 10 overs, her economy of 4.00 showing her mastery. She tossed it up, varied her pace, and left batters groping at thin air. Maddy Green came in at 187 for 4 but couldn’t find her groove, managing 4 off 7 balls before Mlaba had her caught by Anneke Bosch in the 40th over, leaving the score at 195 for 5.
Isabella Gaze, the keeper, tried to spark a late charge, smashing 10 off 9 balls with two glorious fours, but a pinpoint run-out by Mlaba and Kapp in the 43rd over stopped her at 212 for 6. Jess Kerr scratched out 2 off 8 balls before falling to Ayabonga Khaka, caught by de Klerk in the 45th over. Lea Tahuhu fought for 5 off 9 balls but was caught by Laura Wolvaardt off Mlaba in the 47th over. Eden Carson’s quick 4 off 4 balls ended in a run-out by Bosch and Khaka in the final over. Bree Illing was left stranded on 1 not out off 4 balls as New Zealand folded for 231 in 47.5 overs.
South Africa’s bowlers stayed on point. Kapp took 1 for 34 in 8 overs, Khaka 1 for 31 in 7.5 overs, de Klerk 1 for 32 in 7 overs, and Tryon 1 for 24 in 3 overs. Masabata Klaas (0 for 36 in 7 overs) and Sune Luus (0 for 32 in 5 overs) didn’t grab wickets but kept the lid on. New Zealand got a lifeline from 21 extras (2 leg byes, 19 wides). The powerplay brought 54 runs for one wicket, with 100 coming in the 26th over and 150 around the 34th. But wickets kept falling, and the run rate of 4.82, with 35 fours and no sixes, showed a ground-heavy approach.
South Africa had 232 to chase in 50 overs, and they made it look like a practice game, storming to 234 for 4 in 40.5 overs. Tazmin Brits was pure dynamite, blasting 101 off 89 balls with 15 fours and a six, striking at 113.48. Her innings was a mix of audacious strokeplay and steely focus, tearing into New Zealand’s bowlers with a grin. Sune Luus played the anchor, finishing unbeaten on 83 off 114 balls with 10 fours and a six, her strike rate of 72.80 masking the calm control she brought. Their 159-run second-wicket stand was a Women’s World Cup record for South Africa, a partnership that crushed New Zealand’s spirit and turned the chase into a victory lap.
It started with a bang. Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s captain, came out swinging, smashing 14 off 10 balls with three fours at a strike rate of 140.00. The crowd was on its feet, but Jess Kerr had other ideas, trapping her lbw in the third over. The review couldn’t save her, and at 26 for 1, New Zealand dared to dream. But Brits and Luus shut that down fast. Brits was in a different league, racing to her fifty off 44 balls with 10 fours, her bat flashing like a blade. She reached her hundred off 87 balls, the fastest woman to seven ODI centuries, a milestone that had the Indore crowd roaring. Luus, meanwhile, was calm in the storm, picking gaps, rotating the strike, and keeping the chase on track. South Africa hit 50 in 8.2 overs, 100 in 16.2 overs, 150 in 23.5 overs, and 200 in 33.5 overs, their run rate of 5.73 never wavering.
The turning point was that second-wicket stand. New Zealand tried everything, pace, spin, short balls, yorkers, but Brits and Luus were unstoppable. Brits’ cover drives were pure poetry, while Luus’ deft touches kept the bowlers guessing. The partnership broke at 185 in the 32nd over when Lea Tahuhu bowled Brits, a rare moment of joy for New Zealand. Marizanne Kapp kept the momentum going, cracking 14 off 15 balls with two fours before Amelia Kerr had her caught by Jess Kerr in the 35th over. Anneke Bosch lasted four balls for a duck, caught by Bates off Amelia Kerr in the 37th over. Sinalo Jafta, not out on 6 off 14 balls with a four, joined Luus, who smashed the winning runs to spark wild celebrations in the South African camp.
New Zealand’s bowlers were left chasing shadows. Jess Kerr grabbed 1 for 41 in 7 overs, Tahuhu 1 for 27 in 6 overs, and Amelia Kerr 2 for 62 in 10 overs, but it wasn’t enough. Bree Illing (0 for 30 in 6 overs), Sophie Devine (0 for 25 in 4 overs), Eden Carson (0 for 33 in 4.5 overs), and Brooke Halliday (0 for 14 in 3 overs) couldn’t find a way through. They leaked 16 extras (2 leg byes, 1 no-ball, 13 wides), which didn’t help. South Africa’s powerplay brought 54 runs for one wicket, and they were in cruise control at drinks: 99 for 1 at 16 overs and 185 for 2 at 31.1 overs.
Sophie Devine delivered the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game with her resilient 85 off 98 balls, studded with nine fours, at a strike rate of 86.73. Coming in after Suzie Bates’ first-ball duck and Amelia Kerr’s dismissal, Devine steadied New Zealand’s innings with a 57-run partnership with Georgia Plimmer and an 86-run stand with Brooke Halliday.
Her composed yet attacking knock kept New Zealand in the game, guiding them to a competitive 231 despite a late collapse triggered by Nonkululeko Mlaba’s 4 for 40. Devine’s leadership and batting prowess shone through, making her innings a standout moment in a challenging match.
Tazmin Brits earned the TCNI Hero of the Day title with her breathtaking 101 off 89 balls, featuring 15 fours and one six, at a strike rate of 113.48. Her century anchored South Africa’s chase of 232, guiding them to 234 for 4 in 40.5 overs. Forming a record-breaking 159-run partnership with Sune Luus (83 not out), Brits ensured South Africa recovered from the early loss of Laura Wolvaardt to cruise to victory.
Her aggressive yet composed batting overwhelmed New Zealand’s bowlers, including Amelia Kerr, and her milestones, fastest to seven ODI hundreds, underscored her pivotal role in South Africa’s dominant win. This clash was a tale of Devine’s defiance and Brits’ brilliance, lighting up Indore with heart and skill.