Making her senior international debut, Reyneke smashed the winning runs, a towering six off the final ball, to hand South Africa a dramatic 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that initially looked spot on. 

Despite being in deep trouble at 64/6 after 9.2 overs, the visitors rallied thanks to a sensational rescue act by captain Fatima Sana. 

Fatima Sana. Photo: Cricinfo

Sana played a true captain’s knock, blasting 90 off just 41 balls to steer Pakistan to a competitive 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Natalia Pervaiz chipped in with 20 off 17 as the momentum swung late in the innings.

But before the fightback, it was Reyneke who made an immediate statement. With just the third ball of her first over in international cricket, she bowled opener Gull Feroza for 13. 

She later dismissed Pervaiz as well, caught in the deep by captain Laura Wolvaardt off a full toss. While Ayanda Hlubi was the pick of the bowlers with 3/41, Reyneke’s remarkable return of 2/13 in four overs set a new benchmark; the best bowling figures by a South African woman on T20I debut.

Kayla Reyneke celebrates her first wicket in international cricket. Photo: Cricinfo

South Africa looked in control of the chase for much of the innings, with Wolvaardt anchoring the effort with a classy 61 off 38 balls. However, her stumping in the 15th over with the score on 133/3 shifted the momentum back towards Pakistan, and suddenly the pressure was on.

With four overs remaining, Reyneke joined Annerie Dercksen at the crease. After a few nervy moments, the young all-rounder found her rhythm and began to settle into the occasion.

It all came down to the final delivery. South Africa needed two runs for victory. Reyneke, showing composure beyond her years, launched her third six of the innings to seal a famous win and finish unbeaten on 29 off 16 balls. 

A debut to remember for Kayla Reyneke ????

She sends it flying to seal the victory for the Proteas Women ????#SAvPAK | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/qDCpmJma8a

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) February 10, 2026

Dercksen, known for her power-hitting, supported well with 9 not out off nine deliveries. Reyneke was deservedly named Player of the Match and described her first appearance for the senior national side as a dream come true.

“It was honestly a dream debut – I couldn’t have asked for a better way to represent my country for the first time,” said the former South African under-19 captain.

“I’ll always allow myself to feel the emotions that come with a moment like that, but making my debut for South Africa was incredibly special – especially in Potchefstroom, where I started my South African U19 journey.

Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: CSA

“It’s quite hard to put into words. At such a young age, to walk into an environment like this, it’s truly a dream come true. It cannot get any bigger than international cricket – the World Cup stage is the ultimate goal – but the SA U19 World Cup really helped prepare me. 

“It gave me a taste of that pressure and what international cricket demands. I did feel a bit of pressure out there, but in the end, it’s about what you make of the moment. For me, it was something really special.”

The Proteas Women and Pakistan will lock horns again on Friday at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, with the second T20 International set to get underway at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh