South Africa Crush New Zealand by 6 Wickets in Women's World Cup 2025

South Africa Crush New Zealand by 6 Wickets in Women's World Cup 2025

NZ Women vs SA Women, 7th Match at Indore, Women's World Cup, Oct 06 2025 - Match Result.

7th Match (D/N), Indore, October 06, 2025, ICC Women's World Cup

NZ-W 231 (47.5 ov)

SA-W (40.5/50 ov, T:232) 234/4

SA Women won by 6 wickets (with 55 balls remaining)

Player of the Match: Tazmin Brits (SA-W)

Match Overview

                    In a match that encapsulated the highs and lows of international women's cricket, South Africa delivered a resounding statement at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on October 6, 2025.

            Chasing a seemingly defendable 231, the Proteas romped home with six wickets in hand and over nine overs to spare, thanks to a masterful century from opener Tazmin Brits and a composed 83 from Sune Luus. This victory, their first in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, came after a humiliating 69 all out against England in their opener—a collapse that had left them rock bottom on the points table. For New Zealand, it was a second consecutive defeat, following an 89-run drubbing by Australia, leaving the White Ferns' campaign in tatters and their net run rate in freefall.

The game, played under day-night conditions on a pitch that offered something for both bat and ball after early moisture, saw New Zealand win the toss and elect to bat. Captain Sophie Devine, fresh off a heroic 112 in the opener, once again anchored the innings with 85, but her efforts were undermined by a dramatic collapse triggered by South Africa's left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Mlaba's 4 for 40, including a devastating second spell, dismantled the lower order as New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for just 44 runs.

The chase, however, was never in doubt. Brits, in the form of her life, bludgeoned her way to 101 off 89 balls—her fifth ODI hundred of 2025, a calendar-year record for women's cricket—while Luus played the perfect foil in a 159-run second-wicket stand that is now the highest for South Africa in Women's World Cups for any wicket.

This result catapults South Africa to fifth on the points table with two points and an improved net run rate of -1.424, while New Zealand languish at the bottom with zero points from two matches. For the Proteas, it's a timely boost ahead of their clash with hosts India in Visakhapatnam on October 9. New Zealand, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for Bangladesh in Guwahati on October 10, with questions swirling around their batting depth and bowling variety.

The Holkar Stadium, with its vast outfield and true bounce, has hosted some memorable World Cup moments, but none quite like this redemption arc for South Africa. Under floodlights, with a crowd of around 18,000—buoyed by local support for the tournament—witnessing Brits' bow-and-arrow celebration upon reaching her ton, the atmosphere was electric. Umpires Shathira Jakir and Kim Cotton had their hands full early with a DRS review on the first ball, but the game quickly settled into a rhythm that favored the team that adapted best.

Pre-Match Context: Two Teams Desperate for Redemption

Both sides entered this fixture nursing wounds from their opening-day thrashings. New Zealand's 89-run loss to Australia on October 3 at the same venue was a stark reminder of their ODI struggles. Despite Devine's valiant century, the White Ferns were bowled out for 237 chasing 327, exposed by Australia's depth with Alyssa Healy's 99 and Ash Gardner's all-round masterclass. It was their fourth defeat in five ODIs leading into the World Cup, a run marred by a lack of preparation—no bilateral ODIs in the six months prior—and injuries to key players like Flora Devonshire, replaced by Hannah Rowe.

Sophie Devine, in her 200th ODI, spoke post-match about the need for "collective resilience," but the stats were damning: New Zealand had crossed 250 only twice since January 2024, and their bowling attack, reliant on the Kerr sisters (Amelia and Jess) and Lea Tahuhu, lacked penetration on flat tracks. Veteran Suzie Bates, playing her 350th international, added experience, but the middle order—Georgia Plimmer, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green—had been inconsistent. The toss win was a small mercy, allowing them to set a total on a pitch expected to slow down under lights.

South Africa's nightmare in Guwahati was even worse: bowled out for 69 by England's seamers, their lowest World Cup total since 1997. Captain Laura Wolvaardt's 0 and Tazmin Brits' 4 highlighted a top-order implosion, while their last two ODIs before the tournament—a 115 all out against Pakistan and a narrow loss to India—pointed to deeper issues. The Proteas, perennial semi-finalists but yet to win a World Cup, had won just one of four in a tri-series against India and Sri Lanka earlier in 2025. However, their tour of West Indies in June yielded a 2-1 series win, with Brits and Sune Luus starring.

Wolvaardt, rested in one warm-up but back as captain, emphasized "mental reset" in the pre-match huddle. Changes were minimal: Anneke Bosch retained over all-rounder Annerie Dercksen, while Mlaba's inclusion over Tumi Sekhukhune added spin variety. Marizanne Kapp, with her 155th ODI breaking Mignon du Preez's record for most appearances, brought fire to the attack. Both teams knew Indore's weather—overcast with hazy sunshine—could aid swing early, but the flat track from Australia's opener suggested batting would dominate.

Head-to-head, South Africa led 12-10 in ODIs since 2017, but New Zealand's two wins in the last three encounters (including a 2024 series whitewash) gave them psychological edge. Yet, form favored no one—both sides' recent collapses mirrored each other. As Devine strode out for the anthems, the stakes were clear: a win here could ignite campaigns; another loss might spell early elimination.

Toss and Team News

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine called correctly at the toss and opted to bat, citing the dew factor under lights and a pitch with "a bit of grass" that might assist seamers early. "We want to put a competitive total on the board and let our bowlers do the rest," Devine said, alluding to the success of chasing in Indore's opener. The White Ferns named an unchanged XI from their loss to Australia: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Sophie Devine (c), Jesse Kerr (vc), Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, Eden Carson, and Rosemary Mair. The emphasis was on stability, with leg-spinner Amelia Kerr key to breaking partnerships.

South Africa, buoyed by their bench strength, stuck with the side that crumbled against England, bringing back Mlaba for her second World Cup game. Wolvaardt won the pre-toss chat, joking about "flipping a coin with destiny." Their XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, and Sinalo Jafta (wk). Dercksen's omission raised eyebrows, but Wolvaardt backed Bosch's experience. Kapp, reaching her 155th cap, became South Africa's most-capped ODI player, surpassing du Preez—a milestone celebrated with a team huddle.

Umpires Jakir and Cotton, alongside TV umpire Jacqueline Williams, oversaw proceedings. The match referee was Amita Sharma. Weather held—26°C at toss, 70% humidity—but forecasts predicted light showers later, potentially aiding the chase.

New Zealand Innings: A Promising Start, A Dismal Collapse (231 all out in 47.5 overs)

New Zealand's innings began with high drama. On the first ball of the match, Ayabonga Khaka, swinging the new ball like a dream under overcast skies, trapped Suzie Bates lbw with a full inswinger. Bates, in her 350th international, reviewed immediately—New Zealand's first of two—but Hawk-Eye confirmed the umpire's call by a whisker. Out for a golden duck, Bates' exit silenced the New Zealand camp and handed South Africa an early psychological blow. Score: 0/1 after 0.1 overs.

Georgia Plimmer joined Amelia Kerr at the crease, and the pair rebuilt cautiously against Khaka and Masabata Klaas, who extracted bounce from the seam-friendly surface. Plimmer, scratchy early, survived a testing spell, while Kerr rotated strike with nudges and glances. By the 10th over, New Zealand had crawled to 38/1, with 13 extras—wides and no-balls from Klaas—propping up the score. The Powerplay ended at 38/1, slower than Australia's 52/0 in the opener.

Sophie Devine entered at No. 4 after Kerr holed out to mid-off off Nadine de Klerk in the 13th over (17 off 42 balls). Devine, sensing the need for acceleration, unleashed her trademark drives. She lofted Mlaba over cover for six in the 15th over, her first boundary, and followed with a crisp off-drive against Khaka. Partnered with Plimmer, Devine pushed the score to 100/2 by the 25th over, but Plimmer's labor (31 off 68, strike rate 45) irked the dressing room. She fell to de Klerk, bowled by a straighter one, leaving New Zealand at 101/3.

Brooke Halliday now joined Devine, and this partnership—86 runs off 72 balls—infused life into the innings. Halliday, aggressive from the outset, smashed six fours in her 37-ball 45, including a pulled four off Kapp and a sweep against Mlaba. Devine, elegance personified, reached her fifty off 62 balls with a lofted cover drive. The duo's running between wickets was electric, converting singles into twos on the vast outfield. At 187/3 after 38 overs, New Zealand eyed 280, with the required rate under control.

But Mlaba, introduced for her second spell in the 39th over, scripted a masterclass. Her left-arm darts gripped the pitch, turning sharply. First, Halliday (45) reverse-swept straight to short third man—187/4. Maddy Green followed next ball, reverse-sweeping to backward point—187/5. Jesse Kerr edged a turning ball to slip—192/6. Mlaba's figures: 5-0-18-3 in the spell. Devine, now beached on 85 (off 98 balls, 8x4, 1x6), fought valiantly, farming strike and piercing gaps. But Lea Tahuhu holed out to long-on off Tryon (200/7), and Hannah Rowe skied one to cover off Klaas (215/8).

Devine perished in the 47th over, bowled by de Klerk attempting a wild slog—225/9. Mlaba mopped up, trapping Rosemary Mair lbw to end the innings at 231 in 47.5 overs. Devine's 85 was the top score, but the collapse—last seven wickets for 44—highlighted familiar frailties. South Africa's fielding was sharp: Jafta took three catches, Luus two. Mlaba's 4/40 earned her the headlines, but de Klerk (2/38) and Khaka (2/52) shared spoils.

New Zealand's total was par at best on a pitch yielding 326 in the previous game. Extras (28) hurt, and the middle overs' slowdown (run rate dipping to 3.8) proved costly. As the players walked off under fading light, Devine shook her head—another near-miss for the Ferns.

New Zealand Innings Scorecard:


BatsmanDismissalRunsBalls4s6sSRSW Bates lbw b Khaka 0 1 0 0 0.00
GE Plimmer b de Klerk 31 68 2 0 45.59
AC Kerr c Bosch b de Klerk 17 42 0 0 40.48
SFM Devine (c) b de Klerk 85 98 8 1 86.73
BJ Halliday c Jafta b Mlaba 45 37 6 0 121.62
MC Green c Brits b Mlaba 0 1 0 0 0.00
J Kerr c Wolvaardt b Mlaba 8 12 0 0 66.67
L Tahuhu c Luus b Tryon 11 15 1 0 73.33
HM Rowe c Jafta b Klaas 5 10 0 0 50.00
EC Carson not out 2 3 0 0 66.67
RM Mair lbw b Mlaba 0 1 0 0 0.00
Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 18, nb 2) 28
Total (all out, 47.5 ov) 231 17 1 4.85 rpo

Fall of Wickets: 0-1 (Bates, 0.1 ov), 38-2 (Kerr, 12.6 ov), 101-3 (Plimmer, 25.4 ov), 187-4 (Halliday, 38.1 ov), 187-5 (Green, 38.2 ov), 192-6 (J Kerr, 40.4 ov), 200-7 (Tahuhu, 42.3 ov), 215-8 (Rowe, 45.2 ov), 225-9 (Devine, 46.6 ov), 231-10 (Mair, 47.5 ov)

South Africa Bowling:

BowlerOvMRWEcoA Khaka 9 0 52 2 5.78
M Klaas 8.5 0 48 1 5.49
M Kapp 10 0 41 0 4.10
N de Klerk 10 0 38 3 3.80
N Mlaba 9.5 0 40 4 4.14
C Tryon 10 0 37 1 3.70

South Africa Innings: Brits' Fireworks and Luus' Poise Seal the Deal (234/4 in 40.5 overs)

If New Zealand's innings was a slow-burn tragedy, South Africa's chase was a fireworks display. Opening under lights, with dew making the ball skid, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits faced a probing new-ball spell from Rosemary Mair and Hannah Rowe. Mair struck early: Wolvaardt (5 off 8) edged a full outswinger to Amelia Kerr at second slip—5/1 after 2.3 overs. Enter Sune Luus at No. 3, and what followed was a masterclass in partnership building.

Brits, the architect of South Africa's resurgence, took charge immediately. After a steady start—18/1 at Powerplay end—she exploded post-10 overs. Against Amelia Kerr's leg-spin, Brits danced down the track, lofting three boundaries in an over: a cover drive, a sweep, and a reverse sweep that screamed to the fence. Her fifty arrived off 44 balls, the fastest of her ODI career, with a pulled four off Jess Kerr. Luus, understated but effective, rotated strike with pushes into the covers and glances fine. By 20 overs, South Africa were 110/1, ahead of the DLS par.

The second-wicket stand swelled to 159—Brits 101, Luus 83—dominating the spinners. Brits reached her hundred off 89 balls with a bow-and-arrow salute, her fifth of 2025, eclipsing Smriti Mandhana's four. She fell soon after, miscuing a lofted shot off Carson to long-on (211/2, 37.3 ov). Anneke Bosch (12 off 15) joined Luus, adding 21 before Bosch holed out to deep midwicket off Tahuhu—232/3 (40.1 ov). Luus, on 83 (92 balls, 7x4), chipped Mair over extra cover for the winning boundary four balls later. Marizanne Kapp (0*) watched from the non-striker's end as South Africa romped home.

New Zealand's fielding, solid early, wilted under pressure. Devine rotated her bowlers well—Kerr's 10-0-62-2 the best—but the lack of wickets in the middle overs proved fatal. The dew, as predicted, aided batting, and South Africa's Powerplay (54/1) dwarfed New Zealand's 38/1. Brits' innings—13 fours, 2 sixes, SR 113.48—was a statement, her 1,200th ODI run of 2025 cementing her as the year's top run-scorer.

This chase, completed in 40.5 overs, was South Africa's most dominant in a World Cup since 2017. Luus' fifty (her 16th in ODIs) was the glue, while the lower order remained unused. As confetti rained, Wolvaardt hugged Brits—redemption tasted sweet.

South Africa Innings Scorecard:

BatsmanDismissalRunsBalls4s6sSRL Wolvaardt (c) c AC Kerr b Mair 5 8 1 0 62.50
T Brits c Green b Carson 101 89 13 2 113.48
S Luus not out 83 92 7 0 90.22
A Bosch c Halliday b Tahuhu 12 15 1 0 80.00
M Kapp not out 0 1 0 0 0.00
Extras (lb 2, w 31) 33
Total (4 wkts, 40.5 ov) 234 22 2 5.75 rpo

Fall of Wickets: 5-1 (Wolvaardt, 2.3 ov), 211-2 (Brits, 37.3 ov), 232-3 (Bosch, 40.1 ov), 232-4 (de Klerk, 40.2 ov) [Did not bat: N de Klerk, CE Tryon, N Mlaba, M Klaas, A Khaka, S Jafta]

New Zealand Bowling:

BowlerOvMRWEcoRM Mair 7.5 0 50 1 6.45
HM Rowe 6 0 39 0 6.50
L Tahuhu 8 0 41 1 5.12
J Kerr 7 0 47 0 6.71
AC Kerr 10 0 62 2 6.20
EC Carson 2 0 14 1 7.00

Post-Match Analysis: Key Performances and Turning Points

Player of the Match: Tazmin Brits – Her 101 dismantled New Zealand's attack, blending aggression with control. "One for the records," she quipped, surpassing Meg Lanning's mark for most ODI tons in a year. Brits' takedown of Kerr—five boundaries in nine balls—neutralized spin threats.

Sophie Devine's Grit: 85 off 98, her second straight fifty-plus, but unsupported. New Zealand's collapse post-187/3 echoes patterns: since 2024, they've lost 8/10 innings with 50+ stands.

Mlaba's Magic: The 23-year-old's 4/40, including three in five balls, swung momentum. Her second spell (18/4) exploited footmarks, proving South Africa's spin depth.

Turning points: Bates' duck (0/1), the Devine-Halliday stand (86 runs), Mlaba's burst (44 runs for 7 wkts), and Brits' acceleration (110/1 at 20 ov).

Stats highlights: Brits' 159-run stand with Luus is SA's highest WC partnership. New Zealand's 231 is their highest vs SA since 2022, but lowest winning total chased in Indore WC games.

Tactically, Devine's bat-first call backfired on a dew-affected pitch. Wolvaardt's unchanged XI paid off, with Mlaba over Sekhukhune vindicated.

Captains' Thoughts and Reactions

Sophie Devine (NZ-W): "Gutted. Sophie [Devine] led from front again, but we let her down with the collapse. Mlaba was outstanding—we have to adapt to spin better. Two losses sting, but Bangladesh next; we'll fight."

Laura Wolvaardt (SA-W): "Unbelievable turnaround! Tazmin's a star—her hundred lifts everyone. Nonku [Mlaba]'s spell was gold. From 69 all out to this? Shows our depth. India next—bring it."

Devine praised Bates' milestone, Wolvaardt hailed Kapp's record.

Implications for the Tournament

South Africa's win lifts them to fifth (NRR -1.424), behind India (4 pts, +1.2), Australia (+0.8), England (+0.5), Sri Lanka (+0.3). New Zealand (0 pts, -1.8) face must-win vs Bangladesh. Proteas' momentum vs India could define semis race; Ferns risk early exit if collapses persist.

This match, a tale of resilience, sets the tone for a wide-open World Cup. As Brits said, "Winning for SA matters more than records." In Indore's glow, South Africa reignited dreams.