South Africa Outplays New Zealand in Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Tazmin Brits Creates History with Record-Breaking Century

🌍 Introduction: A Clash of Determination and Records

In a gripping encounter at the Holkar Stadium, Indore, South Africa Women’s cricket team scripted an emphatic comeback, defeating New Zealand Women by 6 wickets in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The match wasn’t just a battle for points—it was a showcase of dominance, resilience, and history-making performances.

The Proteas’ victory was powered by Tazmin Brits’ sublime century, Nonkululeko Mlaba’s destructive spin, and Sune Luus’ calm finishing. This win not only gave South Africa their first points in the tournament but also reignited their campaign after a tough opening defeat to England.

🏏 Match Overview: South Africa’s Commanding Response

New Zealand opted to bat first, hoping to capitalize on early conditions. However, the decision backfired spectacularly. South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Mlaba and Kapp, dismantled the White Ferns’ batting order.

Key Innings Summary:

• New Zealand Innings: 217 all out in 47.3 overs

  • Sophie Devine: 73 (88) – the lone warrior, holding the innings together

  • Suzie Bates: 4 (5) – dismissed on the very first ball by Kapp, repeating an unwanted record from 2017

  • Mlaba: 4 wickets for 32 runs – sensational spin bowling under pressure

South Africa Innings: 218/4 in 43.2 overs

• Tazmin Brits: 101 (89) – fifth ODI century in a single calendar year, a world record

• Laura Wolvaardt: 45 (53) – classy stroke play before a stunning catch by Jess Kerr ended her stay

• Sune Luus: 38* (44) – steady partnership to seal the chase

South Africa chased down the total with ease, winning by 6 wickets and gaining crucial momentum in the World Cup standings.

🌟 Tazmin Brits: Rewriting History

Tazmin Brits stole the spotlight with a flawless century that not only anchored South Africa’s innings but also etched her name in cricketing history books.

🏆 Her Achievements in the Match:

• First-ever woman to score 5 ODI centuries in a calendar year

• Surpassed Smriti Mandhana’s record for most centuries in a year

• Fastest to reach seven hundreds in Women’s ODI history

• Her 101 (89) included 12 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing both aggression and control

Brits was rightfully awarded Player of the Match for her brilliance. In her post-match interview, she humbly remarked,

“Records are sweet, but wins matter more. I’m glad to have contributed to South Africa’s comeback.”

Social media platforms erupted in praise, with fans and cricket boards celebrating her milestone. The Proteas Women’s official X account posted:

“🚨 World Record Alert! Tazmin Brits becomes the first-ever women’s player to score 5 ODI hundreds in a calendar year! 🇿🇦 #Unbreakable #CWC25”

🔥 Bowling Brilliance: Mlaba’s Spin Web

Nonkululeko Mlaba was equally instrumental in setting up the win. Her spell of 4/32 derailed New Zealand’s middle order, removing key players like Maddy Green and Amelia Kerr.

Mlaba’s intelligent use of flight, turn, and pace variation made batting extremely difficult. The way she controlled the game’s tempo drew comparisons to some of the best spinners in world cricket today.

Her performance also earned admiration from analysts:

“Mlaba’s spell was the turning point — she bowled with guile, confidence, and purpose,” wrote The Hindu’s Anirudh Velamuri.

💥 Fielding Fireworks: Wolvaardt’s Stunning Catch

Fielding was another highlight of the match. Laura Wolvaardt’s sensational catch to dismiss Maddy Green went viral on social media — hailed as the “Best Catch of the 2025 World Cup” by News18 and MSN.

Leaping full stretch to her left, Wolvaardt plucked the ball mid-air, stunning both the crowd and commentators. It symbolized South Africa’s renewed energy and commitment.

📊 Statistical Highlights & Records

CategoryRecord/PerformancePlayer/TeamMost ODI centuries in a calendar year5Tazmin BritsFastest to 7 ODI centuries (Women’s)-Tazmin BritsBest bowling figures of the match4/32Nonkululeko MlabaMost runs for NZ73Sophie DevinePoints table movement+2 points, moved to 5th placeSouth AfricaHistoric milestone350th ODI appearanceSuzie Bates

Source: ICC, ESPNcricinfo, BBC, The Hindu

🗣️ Reaction from the Cricket World

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain, South Africa):

“This was a statement win. We knew we had to bounce back after the England game. Tazmin’s form is unbelievable, and Mlaba’s spell gave us the control we needed.”

Suzie Bates (New Zealand Veteran):

“It’s hard to believe I’ve played 350 matches. Today wasn’t my day, but I’m proud of the journey. Credit to South Africa—they were better in every department.”

Firdose Moonda, ESPNcricinfo:

“From collapse to class — South Africa have reminded everyone why they’re still strong World Cup contenders.”

📺 Social Media Buzz

The match dominated X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of posts celebrating Tazmin Brits’ feat and South Africa’s turnaround.

• Sportskeeda: “Four centuries in five ODIs for Tazmin Brits! Unreal dominance!”

• ICC: “Brits brilliance leads South Africa to convincing win over New Zealand.”

• RCB Tweets: “Devine lone warrior! Sophie’s red-hot form continues despite the loss.”

The buzz underlined how the women’s game continues to captivate global audiences.

⚔️ New Zealand’s Struggle: A Wake-Up Call

For New Zealand, the match exposed significant weaknesses:

• Over-dependence on Sophie Devine for runs

• Lack of middle-order stability

• Struggles against quality spin bowling

Despite Devine’s fighting fifty, no other batter managed a partnership of substance. The team’s failure to adapt to Indore’s conditions proved costly.

🌈 What’s Next: Tournament Implications

This win places South Africa firmly back in contention, moving them to fifth place in the points table. They will next face India, while New Zealand must regroup quickly before meeting Australia — a daunting challenge.

Cricket analysts predict that with Brits and Mlaba in form, South Africa could emerge as dark horses for the semi-finals.

💬 Conclusion: A Game to Remember

The New Zealand vs South Africa Women’s ODI World Cup clash wasn’t just a match — it was a celebration of women’s cricket at its finest. From Tazmin Brits’ record-breaking ton to Mlaba’s mesmerizing spin and Wolvaardt’s jaw-dropping catch, the game had everything — skill, spirit, and spectacle.

For South Africa, this was more than just a win — it was a statement of intent. For New Zealand, a lesson in resilience awaits.

As the World Cup continues, one thing is clear — women’s cricket is no longer about proving a point; it’s about rewriting history, one inning at a time.