Tazmin Brits produced the innings of her international career as South Africa Women cruised to an emphatic 88-run victory over the Netherlands in Bristol on Thursday, posting the highest total in their Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Brits smashed an unbeaten 114 from just 69 deliveries to lead the Proteas to 208/1 – the first time South Africa Women had crossed the 200-run mark at a Women’s T20 World Cup.
The right-hander’s maiden T20I century was an innings packed with authority, featuring 15 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 165.21. It was also the third-highest individual score by a South African woman in T20Is, behind only Shandré Fritz’s 116 against the Netherlands and Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 115s against Ireland and India.
After the Netherlands won the toss and elected to field, South Africa made their intentions clear from the outset.
Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt raced to 66 without loss during the powerplay before bringing up a century opening partnership in just 67 deliveries.
Wolvaardt played the perfect supporting role, contributing a fluent 45 from 36 balls before she was caught behind off Hannah Landheer with the score on 121 in the 14th over.
Brits, however, was only getting started.
She reached her century from 63 deliveries before unleashing another assault in the closing overs, while Annerie Dercksen provided the ideal finishing touch with an unbeaten 37 off just 16 balls, striking three fours and two sixes.
The pair added an unbroken 87 runs from only 39 deliveries for the second wicket as South Africa finished with a formidable 208/1.
Defending the highest total in their Women’s T20 World Cup history, the Proteas were briefly frustrated as Phebe Molkenboer and Sanya Khurana shared an opening stand of 58.
Khurana made 36 before Chloe Tryon broke the partnership, triggering a collapse from which the Netherlands never recovered.
Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers with outstanding figures of 3/19 from her three overs, while Tryon claimed 2/16 to move onto 51 career T20I wickets after beginning the match on 49.
Shabnim Ismail added one wicket, dismissing Sterre Kalis for 26, while Nadine de Klerk also claimed a wicket as the Proteas restricted the Netherlands to 120/8.
Although Marizanne Kapp did not add to her tally after starting the match on 99 T20I wickets, she was once again economical, conceding just 11 runs from her three overs at an economy rate of 3.66.
South Africa’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding ensured the Dutch never threatened the target, with Dane van Niekerk producing a direct-hit run out to remove Molkenboer late in the innings.
The comprehensive victory was built on one of the finest innings ever played by a Proteas Woman.
Brits’ maiden international century not only rewrote the record books but also showcased the attacking brand of cricket South Africa are capable of producing, while the bowlers completed another clinical all-round performance to seal an emphatic win.
