Marizanne Kapp produced one of the greatest individual performances in Women’s T20 World Cup history to guide South Africa Women to a memorable six-wicket victory over India in Manchester on Sunday.
Chasing 159 at Old Trafford, the Proteas reached 161/4 with five balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 81 off 45 balls from Kapp. It was the first time South Africa Women had successfully chased a target of more than 150 at a Women’s T20 World Cup.
India, having elected to bat first, made a brisk start through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma before Kapp struck with the final ball of the third over, removing Mandhana for 17.
Shafali continued to attack, scoring 31 off 15 balls, but Shabnim Ismail ended her innings in the sixth over to give South Africa an important breakthrough. Ayabonga Khaka then trapped Yastika Bhatia lbw, while Nadine de Klerk dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues with a sharp return catch.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 24 before falling to Ismail, while Deepti Sharma’s 29 helped the Indians recover. However, South Africa’s bowlers kept chipping away. Nonkululeko Mlaba removed Deepti and Kapp returned at the death to dismiss Richa Ghosh as India finished on 158/7.
Kapp and Ismail claimed two wickets apiece, with Khaka, Mlaba and De Klerk each taking one.
South Africa’s reply started cautiously and suffered an early double blow. Laura Wolvaardt was caught and bowled by Shree Charani for 20 before Annerie Dercksen was bowled two deliveries later, leaving the Proteas in trouble at 25/2.
With the pressure mounting, Kapp joined Tazmin Brits and together they rebuilt the innings superbly. Brits played the perfect supporting role with 40 off 36 balls as the pair added 97 for the third wicket to wrest control away from India.
Kapp brought up her half-century from 34 deliveries before accelerating brilliantly in the closing stages. The veteran all-rounder struck seven fours and four sixes in an innings of remarkable quality and composure.
Brits fell in the 17th over and Shree Charani picked up her third wicket when Nadine de Klerk departed for five, but Kapp remained unmoved. Chloe Tryon then finished the job with an unbeaten 10 off four deliveries to secure victory with five balls remaining.
The all-round display also saw Kapp write her name into the record books. Her figures of 2/27 and unbeaten 81 made her the first player in Women’s T20 World Cup history to score more than 80 runs and take two wickets in the same match.
It was another reminder of why Kapp remains one of the finest all-rounders in the world. More importantly for South Africa, the victory demonstrated their ability to recover from adversity and chase down a substantial total on the biggest stage.
Against one of the tournament favourites, the Proteas Women delivered a statement performance – and Marizanne Kapp stood at the centre of it.
