Tazmin Brits struck the first T20I century of her career, finishing unbeaten on 114, as South Africa Women posted 208 for 1 and beat Netherlands Women by 88 runs in the 24th match (Group 1) of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bristol on June 25, 2026. The result delivered the net run-rate boost South Africa were chasing in a must-win, must-improve encounter, lifting their tournament NRR into positive territory at 0.734.
South Africa became the third team to pass 200 at the tournament, then backed it up with a controlled defence that never allowed the chase to settle after a strong Dutch start. Netherlands ended on 120 for 8 in their 20 overs, with Ayabonga Khaka leading the late damage with 3 for 19.
Brits’ century anchors South Africa’s 208/1
Promoted back into her opening role, Brits provided the platform South Africa needed, combining with Laura Wolvaardt in a 121-run opening stand — the highest partnership between the pair. After a cautious early feel-out, Brits punished width for the innings’ first boundary, while Wolvaardt gradually found her timing, including a cover drive that arrived in the fifth over.
Netherlands tried to force a breakthrough by introducing legspinner Silver Siegers in the fifth over, but the over proved costly as South Africa took 17 from it. The Powerplay ended with South Africa 66 without loss, firmly in control.
The Dutch did create opportunities as Caroline de Lange induced two chances off Brits when she was on 46 — a stumping and a catch — but both were missed, allowing the opener to continue building. The partnership eventually ended when Wolvaardt, on 45, attempted to hit another short, wide delivery and feathered it behind.
Annerie Dercksen then underlined her growing importance at No. 3. South Africa entered the tournament still searching for a settled option in that slot, but Dercksen’s contributions have helped clarify the role. She began by giving Brits the bulk of the strike while she got set, starting seven off her first six balls. As Brits surged, Dercksen accelerated too: her first boundary was a six over extra cover off Hannah Landheer, and after being dropped on 14, she made the most of the reprieve.
The finishing burst was decisive. Brits and Dercksen scored 87 runs off the final 39 balls at a run-rate of 13.38, lifting South Africa to 208 for 1. Dercksen closed unbeaten on 37, including back-to-back fours off Iris Zwilling in the final over, ending with a strike-rate of 231. Brits’ 114* off 69 balls earned her Player of the Match, and she was also named Cricinfo’s MVP for the game.
Netherlands’ bright start fades after mid-innings blow
Netherlands began their chase with intent, putting together their sixth-highest opening stand of 58 and reaching 50 without loss after the Powerplay. Phoebe Molkenboer set the tone early, taking on Shabnim Ismail with three consecutive boundaries in the second over. South Africa also missed a key chance when Sanya Khurana was on three, edging Marizanne Kapp to slip where Chloe Tryon spilled the opportunity.
Khurana continued to score freely, including boundary options against Khaka and a lap for four off Ismail, and Netherlands looked comfortable early even as the required rate climbed. After the openers were separated, the asking rate was already 12.5 an over, shifting the chase into a different kind of pursuit.
Molkenboer and Sterre Kalis added 42 for the second wicket, but the match turned sharply in the 15th over. Ismail’s short-ball plan paid off when she cramped Kalis (26), who gloved a pull to Sinalo Jafta for a catch that sparked a collapse.
Late collapse seals South Africa’s 88-run win
From that point, Netherlands fell away dramatically, losing eight wickets for 20 runs between the 15th and 20th overs as batters tried to finish strongly. Khaka’s final over was especially decisive: she took three wickets in it, including two in two balls to close the innings. Netherlands finished 120 for 8, with Molkenboer top-scoring with 41 and Khurana making 36.
For South Africa, the win delivered both points and the net run-rate lift they needed. While their NRR moved into positive territory at 0.734, they remained well behind India’s 2.268, keeping the Group 1 race tight as the tournament progressed.