How do you bounce back from a 69-all-out humiliation?
South Africa- If you’re Marizanne Kapp, you begin by trapping Suzie Bates leg-before on the first ball of her 350th international — in the same match where you become your country’s most-capped women’s player.
If you’re Nonkululeko Mlaba, you spark a middle-order collapse of 7 for 44, finishing with your second career four-wicket haul.
If you’re Laura Wolvaardt, you stretch out an arm and pull off what might just be the catch of the tournament.
And if you’re Sune Luus, you join forces with the in-form Tazmin Brits for South Africa’s highest-ever partnership at a Women’s World Cup.
As for Brits — she does what she does best: scores her fifth ODI century of the year and anchors a chase of 232 with effortless authority.
Redemption in style
South Africa’s emphatic win over New Zealand in their second World Cup fixture wasn’t just about points — it was about pride. After the disastrous batting collapse against England, they responded with a near-perfect performance. Apart from 19 wides, there was little to fault as their bowlers suffocated New Zealand in the first half and struck crucial blows in the second, restricting them to a manageable 232.
But given the fragility they showed earlier in the tournament, even that target looked daunting when Wolvaardt fell in the third over. What South Africa needed was composure — and Brits provided it in abundance.
The rise and refinement of Tazmin Brits
Before this game, Brits had already struck four centuries in 2025, including three in succession against West Indies and Pakistan. Her most recent had been a career-best 171* in Lahore. So, being bowled for 5 in the opener hit hard.
“It didn’t sit well with me,” Brits admitted. “I was actually nauseous that night — I couldn’t eat and overthought everything. But we had to move on quickly.”
And move on she did — blasting 101 off just 89 balls against New Zealand. She joked that her run of form might have something to do with koeksisters (South Africa’s syrup-soaked fried dough delicacy), but there was no sugar fix in Indore — only a disciplined, technical display of stroke-making.
Once known primarily for her leg-side dominance, Brits has transformed her batting by developing strength on the off side. Against New Zealand, she scored 68 of her 101 runs through the off side, including 27 through or over mid-off, and 40 in the “V” down the ground.
“I’ve worked very hard to expand my shot selection,” she explained. “I’m seeing the off side so much better now, and that’s opened up my scoring options.”
This century — her fastest yet, coming off 87 balls — also made her the only woman to score five ODI hundreds in a single calendar year. With 749 runs in 2025, she now trails only Wolvaardt’s 882 from 2022 for the most by a South African in one year. Brits also reached her seventh career century in just 41 innings — faster than even Meg Lanning, who needed 44.
And this one was special. It was her first at a World Cup — and South Africa’s third overall.
“I always do a ballerina celebration for my dad, so that was for my fifty. But for the century, two 13-year-old fans suggested the archer pose — so I did it for them,” she smiled.
Support and stability from Luus
While Brits stole the headlines, Sune Luus provided the perfect foil. Traditionally stronger at No. 4, she batted at No. 3 and made a strong case to stay there, compiling a calm, unbeaten 83. Her measured tempo allowed Brits to play freely, and together they steered South Africa’s chase with maturity and control.
Their stand not only steadied the innings but ensured the target was achieved with nine wickets in hand and inside 41 overs — a crucial boost to their net run rate, even if it still remains in negative territory.
A step forward, a bigger test ahead
From 69 all out to a commanding chase — South Africa’s turnaround was as emphatic as it was timely. But the team knows they can’t afford to relax. With a tight points table and rain potentially influencing results, every over and every run could decide semi-final spots.
Next up, they face hosts India in Visakhapatnam, an unbeaten side and tournament favorite — a fixture that could go a long way in shaping the World Cup’s final four.
For now, though, South Africa can breathe again. They’re back — and back with intent.
