Klerksdorp-born opening batter Tazmin Brits returned to her devastating best, smashing her maiden T20 International century to inspire South Africa to a crucial victory. This not only kept their qualification hopes alive but also provided a significant boost to their net run rate.

The Netherlands won the toss at the County Ground and elected to field first – a decision they would soon regret.

Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: ICC

Captain Laura Wolvaardt and Brits laid the perfect platform with an opening stand of 121. Wolvaardt, who had endured a quiet tournament with the bat, found some welcome form with a fluent 45 off 36 deliveries, striking six boundaries before being caught behind by Dutch captain Babette de Leede off the bowling of Hannah Landheer in the 14th over.

Brits, however, stole the spotlight. The powerful right-hander produced a magnificent unbeaten 114 from just 69 balls, peppering the boundary with 15 fours and three towering sixes. 

She found an ideal partner in former Free State all-rounder Annerie Dercksen, whose explosive 37 not out from only 16 balls helped South Africa plunder more than 50 runs in the final three overs as they posted an imposing total of 208/1.

Landheer was the pick of the Dutch bowlers with figures of 1/34 from her four overs, while Caroline de Lange impressed with a tightfisted spell of 0/22.

The Netherlands made a respectable start in reply, putting on 58 for the opening wicket before Sanya Khurana was caught by Shabnim Ismail for 36 off the bowling of Chloe Tryon.

Phebe Molkenboer top-scored with a run-a-ball 41, while Sterre Kalis added 26 from 28 deliveries, but the rest of the batting line-up struggled to build meaningful partnerships.

Annerie Dercksen and Tazmin Brits. Photo: ICC

Having reached 100/2 in the 15th over, the Dutch innings unravelled as South Africa tightened the screws. A flurry of wickets in the closing overs restricted the Netherlands to 120/8 from their 20 overs.

In-form seamer Ayabonga Khaka was outstanding, claiming 3/19, including two wickets in the final over. Tryon was equally impressive with her left-arm spin, returning figures of 2/16, while Nadine de Klerk and Ismail chipped in with a wicket apiece.

After the match, Brits admitted she was relieved to rediscover her best form, but stressed that helping South Africa move closer to the semi-finals meant far more than her personal milestone.

Phebe Molkenboer. Photo: ICC

“Yeah, I mean, I always believe in myself. I always like to think that somewhere along the line I’ll be able to help this team win a World Cup. So yeah, I’m glad that I could get that hundred, and I’m glad I could help us get past 200 today.

“I’d never faced the Netherlands bowlers before. I watched a few videos, but you never really know what’s coming.

“I wanted to be a little patient early on because we didn’t want to lose wickets up front. Once I got used to the wicket, I knew it was time to shift gears.”

Sanya Khurana. Photo: ICC

Sunday promises to be a massive day for South African sport. Bafana Bafana take on Canada in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup, while the Proteas face Bangladesh at Lord’s in London in a must-win final Group 1 encounter. South Africa’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals will also depend on Australia defeating India later in the day.

Brits said the Proteas’ focus remains solely on controlling what they can and blocking out the outside noise.

“I’ll check the Bafana Bafana score once our game is finished,” she laughed.

“We take every game seriously, no matter who we’re playing. We’re just going to focus on winning our match.

Ayabonga Khaka. Photo: ICC

“We’re not thinking about net run rate or anything like that. It’s all about showing up and doing our job.

“I am a little nervous, but sometimes those nerves bring out the best in you. That’s when true character comes through.”

South Africa’s clash against Bangladesh at Lord’s in St John’s Wood gets underway at 11:00, before Australia faces India at 15:30 in the match that could ultimately decide the Proteas’ semi-final fate.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm