South Africa have been in commanding form so far, opening their account with a convincing six-wicket win in Durban before backing it up with another dominant eight-wicket victory at Kingsmead on Sunday. With a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, they now have a golden opportunity to wrap things up early on home soil.

In the past, the Proteas Women have shown they can start strong, but closing out a series has sometimes proved tricky. This time around, they’ll be determined to put that narrative to bed and finish the job in Johannesburg.

There’s more than just series bragging rights on the line. Every performance carries added weight as this tour represents one of the final chances for players to stake their claim ahead of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi and the selectors will be watching closely as they look to finalise their squad.

One player who has certainly caught the eye is seamer Tumi Sekhukhune. The 27-year-old has been outstanding with the ball, leading the wicket charts in the series with five scalps. She has also been one of the standout performers, dating back to the recent tour of New Zealand, continuing her upward trajectory in the national setup.

The soft-spoken Sekhukhune told OFM Sport that pushing for a 3-0 lead is crucial – not just for the series, but for building momentum heading into the global showpiece.

Tumi Sekhukhune. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s very important for us to go 3-0 up because we’re preparing for the World Cup, and we want to take that momentum with us,” she said.

“We’re also trying a few different things to see what works best, so it’s all part of our preparation heading into the tournament.”

Sekhukhune added that her growing confidence has been key, as she looks to cement her place in the side. “Stepping into this role, I was quite nervous at the start, but the team and coaches backed me and believed I could do the job.

Proteas Women bowling coach and former Free State all-rounder, Dillon du Preez. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It surprised me a bit to see that I can bowl in the power play and still get movement on the ball.

“I’m not the quickest, so we planned to bring the keeper up and see what I can offer. Right now, things are going really well, and I’m happy with how it’s coming together.”

The third T20 International between South Africa and India at the Wanderers is scheduled to get underway at 15:00 on Wednesday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm