The Proteas Women produced a golden performance at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday as they thumped England by six wickets in the first One-Day International.
Laura Wolvaardt’s patient half-century eased South Africa to their win with 70 balls to spare, and they now take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Proteas, under the new leadership of former Titans coach Mandla Mashimbyi, produced a perfect response following their recent 3-0 mauling in the T20 series.
South Africa welcomed the experienced duo of Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka back into the side after they were rested for the T20 series.
Kapp immediately made her presence felt, and she was right on the mark and on target early in her bowling spell.
Sophia Dunkley (four), Tamsin Beaumont (11), and Nat Sciver-Brunt (0) could only manage 15 runs between them before they were all dismissed by Kapp (3/24).
✅ Dunkley
✅ Beaumont
✅ Sciver-Brunt
Marizanne Kapp is making quick work of England's batters 😲
📺 Stream #SAvENG on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/I9nyGmklSA
South Africa were beaming with confidence, and they continued to make inroads within the visitors’ batting line-up.
British rock band Queen’s song ‘Another one bites the dust’ was making waves, and England were seemingly well in tune as three soon became seven with only 107 runs on the board.
Most importantly, the fall of high scorer and skipper, Heather Knight (40 off 63 balls), trapped lbw by Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/47), was a crucial breakthrough for the hosts.
A combination of poor fielding and poor execution of bowling plans by the Proteas slowly eased England back into the contest on a typically hot Kimberley afternoon.
They found their own rhythm through spin twins Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone, but only this time, they were piling misery onto South Africa’s strong start with the ball.
Their partnership of 67 was damaging, considering that South Africa needed only three wickets to set up what would be an easy chase on a wicket that visibly took kindly to spin.
Annerie Dercksen (3/16) nullified the threat, though, and capped an impressive day with the ball with the wicket of Ecclestone, putting an end to a stand that was well on its way to seeing England over the 200 mark.
AirNadine takes flight ✈️
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 4, 2024
This is a catch for the books from de Klerk 👏
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England could only manage 186 runs, as they were bowled out in just 38.4 overs.
In response, Wolvaardt played a captain’s knock, and her anchor innings ensured South Africa didn’t lose too many wickets upfront, allowing her partners to have a go at the other end.
The South African captain was a part of two crucial partnerships after the early loss of Tazmin Brits (13) and Suné Luus (seven).
Lauren Flier finally breaks up South Africa's 3rd wicket partnership 👇
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 4, 2024
The Proteas Women are 105-3 📸
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Wolvaardt added 59 runs with the ever-improving Dercksen, and she followed it up with 31 with the experienced Kapp to get South Africa closer to their target.
The contest was always going to come down to the impact that Dean and Ecclestone were going to have, especially chasing a small total.
Wonderful Wolvaardt!✨
Laura showed her class, as she brought up her 33rd half-century to help guide the Proteas Women to victory over England in the 1st IWC ODI.😃🏏
A brilliant innings Wolfie!👏🫡🥳#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/DKwglsBWIE
The Proteas didn’t score a lot off Ecclestone, but the key was losing only one wicket between the pair.
Nadine de Klerk’s cameo of 48 off 28 balls eased the pressure, and the sixth-wicket partnership of 53 off 39 balls with her captain ensured South Africa crossed the line comfortably to secure a rare emphatic win over the English.
Brief Scores
England 186 all out in 38.4 overs (Heather Knight 40 off 63 balls, 5x4, Charlie Dean 47* off 57, 6x4; Annerie Dercksen 3/16, Marizanne Kapp 3/24)
South Africa 189/4 in 38.2 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 59* off 114 balls, 7x4, Nadine de Klerk 48* off 28, 11x4; Lauren Bell 1/30)