Proteas bounce back from England defeat with a commanding win over New Zealand
South Africa wasted no time putting their opening-day disappointment behind them, producing a statement performance to secure their first victory of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Powered by a superb century from Tazmin Brits, the Proteas chased down New Zealand’s 232-run target with authority, sealing an eight-wicket win in Indore.
Brits finds form with another ton
Brits was at her fluent best, scoring 101 off 89 balls, her fifth century of the calendar year, to anchor South Africa’s chase. She combined smart strike rotation with controlled aggression, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking. Reflecting on her form, the opener credited hard work on expanding her shot-making.
“I’ve just tried to broaden my shot selection and keep working hard,” Brits said after being named Player of the Match. “The loss to England really didn’t sit well with me. I couldn’t even eat that night. But we parked it quickly and focused on bouncing back.”
Bowling unit sets the tone
While Brits grabbed the headlines, South Africa’s bowlers laid the foundation by keeping the White Ferns below par on a good batting wicket. Restricting New Zealand to 231 all out, the Proteas bowlers stuck to disciplined line and length, never letting the opposition’s middle order settle.
“I think 280 would’ve been a good score on that pitch,” Brits observed. “Our bowlers executed brilliantly. They hit their areas, kept the pressure on, and that made the chase much easier.”
White Ferns rue missed opportunities
For New Zealand, Brooke Halliday (45 off 37 balls) provided some resistance with the bat but admitted her side fell short with both bat and ball.
“We probably overpitched a bit, which made it easier for South Africa once they got in,” Halliday reflected. “The key is always the first 10–20 balls for a new batter, and we didn’t execute well enough. But it’s a long tournament – two games down, five to go. If we win the next five, we’re still in with a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals.”
Proteas back on track
The result not only boosted South Africa’s confidence but also underlined their ability to respond under pressure. With Brits leading the way and the bowling attack showing discipline, the Proteas look ready to build momentum in their World Cup campaign.