South Africa have a depleted squad for the series having rested most of their regulars, but bounced back from defeat to Namibia on Friday to chase down their victory target with 38 balls remaining.

Zimbabwe posted 144 for eight in their 20 overs, but South Africa replied with ease as they posted 146 for three.

Zimbabwe made a fast start to their innings with an opening stand of 45 in 5.1 overs between Brian Bennett (34 from 35 balls) and Ben Curran (24 from 12 balls).

As they did against Namibia on Friday, South Africa’s spinners managed to peg them back though with Prenelan Subrayen (2-27 in 4 overs) and Bjorn Fortuin (1-25 in 4 overs) bowling with control through the middle of the innings.

Lanky fast bowler Duan Jansen, twin brother of South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen, was expensive in his second international but returned figures of 3-45 in his 4 overs.

Namibia host Zimbabwe in the third match in the Tri-Series at the same venue on Monday.

The post Brevis leads South Africa to victory over Zimbabwe in T20 Tri-Series appeared first on SportsClub.

Namibia batted first and posted 163 for nine in their 20 overs, before restricting the visitors to 145 for nine in reply.

The result makes it two wins from two for Namibia against their neighbours having won the first T20 clash between the sides last October, also in Windhoek.

Namibia’s innings was anchored by a superb 60 from 38 balls by Jan Frylink, who put on an opening stand of 84 with Louren Steenkamp (41 from 29 balls).

At one stage 200 looked on for the home side, but they managed only 41 runs from the final 35 balls of the innings as South Africa bowled well at the death.

Spinners Bjorn Fortuin (2-17) and Prenelan Subrayen (3-32) were the pick with their four overs.

South Africa struggled from the start of their reply and when Brevis fell for a well played 75 from 50 balls, which included five sixes, their chances of winning the game diminished.

South Africa, who have rested the majority of their regular players, meet Zimbabwe in the second Tri-Series fixture at the same venue on Saturday.

The post Namibia stun South Africa to win first T20 clash in Tri-Series appeared first on SportsClub.

Could it be third time lucky for South Africa’s women’s team at the T20 World Cup?

After reaching the last two tournament finals, they will be aiming to go one better in England this winter and become the first senior side to lift a white-ball World Cup.

If signs are anything to go by, there is at least one pointing in their favour: the final takes place at Lord’s, where the men’s team lifted the World Test Championship mace last June.

Tournaments are not won as much by fate as form and South Africa have had a mixed bag recently. After beating Ireland and Pakistan at home, they lost to New Zealand away before hosting India and results aside, they are well-prepped for the event.

They will be led by Laura Wolvaardt, who has been the leading runscorer in the last two editions of the tournament, and has a wealth of experience surrounding her.

Former captain Dane van Niekerk is back in the mix while allrounder Marizanne Kapp, who has played in every edition of the tournament, has vowed not to give up the international game until South Africa win a major trophy.

With Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta and Ayabonga Khaka all in the ranks, South Africa have the personnel to go all the way.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

As the women’s game continues to grow, the T20 World Cup has been expanded from 10 teams to 12.

Expect all the usual suspects plus first-timers Netherlands, whose men’s team have been regulars at global tournaments for several editions.

The teams are divided into two groups of six and the top two in each pool will advance to the semi-finals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH – SOUTH AFRICA

After leading South Africa’s Under-19 side to the age-group World Cup final in 2025, Kayla Reyneke’s stocks have risen fast.

A powerful middle-order finisher and handy off-spinner, she made her senior international debut in a T20 international in February and promptly earned two player of the match performances in her first four matches.

Reyneke then went on to bat South Africa to victory in her first ODI, where she needed to hit a six! the final ball against New Zealand, and did.

Early in her career, she has shown herself to be a clean striker of the ball with a temperament as cool as ice and her decision to forgo a career as a javelin thrower appears to have been the right one.

Reyneke was the South African Under-15 javelin champion while at Bellville High.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba took 12 wickets at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE, which was the most by a South African in a single edition of the tournament and fourth highest overall.

While conditions in England will be different to the spinner-friendly venues in the Middle Eastern desert, Mlaba has shown herself to be adaptable thanks to changes in pace and her natural ability to turn the ball more than most.

She has been ranked among the ICC’s top 10 T20I bowlers for several years and has been listed as high as second, which speaks to her immense value.

Mlaba’s energy, passion and desire to perform for the team makes her the complete package and rounds of a South African attack that has every variety of spinner and a strong pace contingent.

PLAYERS TO WATCH – BEST OF THE REST

At 38 years old, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates shows absolutely no signs of stopping as she continues to dominate this format.

Bates is the leading runscorer in women’s T20Is and could become the first to reach 5 000 runs at this tournament. Bates has moved from opening the batting to the middle order as New Zealand plan for the future.

Since Shabnim Ismail, the women’s
game has lacked an out-and-out
quick but India’s Kranti Gaud seems
set to step into the role.

She rose to prominence through the WPL, India’s franchise T20 tournament, and has since played across all formats at international level.

In June 2025, at the age of 21, she became the youngest Indian bowler to take five wickets or more in an ODI when she claimed 6 for 52 against England.

She was part of the Indian team that beat South Africa in the final of last year’s ODI World Cup and will hope to make an impact on her first T20 tournament.

It is rare to have a women’s associate cricketer make a career in a Full Member set-up but Netherlands’ Sterre Kalis (no relation to South Africa’s Jacques Kallis) has done exactly that.

A regular in England, Kalis has played for two franchises in the Hundred and has vast experience of conditions and opposition in the country.

No Dutch female player has more T20I runs or fifties than her, which makes her a key cog in their campaign.

GROUP 1

Six-time champions Australia have been proved beatable by none other than South Africa, who knocked them out of the last edition in the semifinals. Without Alyssa Healy, who retired earlier this year, they appear to be in a transition phase and their reputation as serial winners is at risk. South Africa and India are the two likeliest challengers in a group that also includes Pakistan, Bangladesh and Netherlands.

GROUP 2

Defending champions New Zealand headline this group and they are joined by the hosts, England as well as 2016 champions West Indies. All three have a good chance of progressing to the knockouts but will not have it easy against strong opposition. Sri Lanka, who narrowly missed out on the ODI World Cup semifinals, Ireland and Scotland make up the rest of the pool.

VENUES

Matches will be played at seven venues that stretch across England, from Leeds in the north to Southampton on the opposite side. In between, teams will travel through Manchester, Birmingham and London. Both the Oval and Lord’s are host venues and finals week will take place entirely in London with the semi-finals being played at the Oval and the final at Lord’s. This is the second time Lord’s will stage a Women’s World Cup final after a breakthrough, sell-out event at the ODI World Cup in 2017.

The post Third Time Lucky appeared first on SportsClub.

The Black Caps won the toss and opted to bowl first, sending South Africa out to bat first.

The Proteas, who had impressed throughout the tournament with their balanced squad, were unable to withstand a composed New Zealand chase.

Batting first, South Africa posted a total of 169/8, with notable contributions from their middle order from Dewald Brevis (34), Tristan Stubbs (29) and Marco Jansen (55).

However, early wickets in the innings prevented the team from building the momentum needed to post a truly challenging score.

New Zealand’s bowlers, led by their spinners and incisive pace attack, consistently applied pressure, restricting South Africa’s scoring options.

In response, New Zealand’s top order played with maturity and patience, steadily pacing their chase.

Key partnerships between Tim Seifert (58) and Finn Allen (100) ensured the required runs were accumulated without panic, as the Kiwis comfortably reached the target with seven wickets in hand.

The defeat marks a disappointing end for South Africa, who had looked like strong contenders for the title.

While their campaign showcased moments of brilliance, the semi-final loss underlined the need for sharper execution under high-pressure situations.

New Zealand, on the other hand, advanced to the final, having displayed clinical batting and disciplined bowling when it mattered most.

The post Proteas Crash Out of WC After Semi-Final Defeat to New Zealand appeared first on SportsClub.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to go out and bat first, sending South Africa out to bowl in Delhi.

Zim captain Sikandar Raza played a starring role after hitting a score of 73 runs off 43 balls as Zimbabwe’s total score came to 153 for seven wickets.

The South African side had 120 balls to chase a score total of 154 runs.

Dewald Brevis scored the most runs for the Proteas with 42 runs off 18 balls, while the likes of Ryan Rickelton (22), David Miller (22), Tristan Stubbs (21), and George Linde (30) all hit up a decent score.

South Africa went on to secure the win with five wickets to spare to maintain their unbeaten record at the World Cup.

The Proteas will now take on New Zealand in the first semi-final clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon.

ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (capt), Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani

PROTEAS: Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Kwena Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje

Image Credit: Proteas/X

The post Protea Finish Super Eights Strong with Convincing Win Over Zim appeared first on SportsClub.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl and send the Windies out to bat first.

West Indies duo Romario Shepherd (52) and Jason Holder (49) put up a sensational partnership of 89 from just 59 balls.

Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, with Corbin Bosch and Kagiso Rabada adding two each, as South Africa limited the West Indies to a competitive 176-8.

South Africa needed 177 runs to win the match and they did not disappoint as

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock hit up a partnership of 95-1 before de Kock was bowled out by Roston Chase.

However, Markram hit up a score of 82 runs from 46 balls, while Ryan Rickelton struck 45 runs from 28 balls to guide South Africa to victory over the West Indies.

South Africa have now moved to the top of the standings in the Super 8 Group 1, with Zimbabwe left to play in thre group.

PROTEAS: Quinton de Kock (wkt), Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

WEST INDIES: Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain/wkt), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

The post Markram fires Proteas to victory over West Indies in T20 World Cup appeared first on SportsClub.

After being put in to bat, South Africa produced a clinical all-round display, posting a competitive total of 187-7.

The Proteas’ bowlers then took control, applying relentless pressure with early breakthroughs and tight lines that prevented India from building any meaningful momentum, bowling them out for 111.

Regular wickets and sharp fielding ensured India’s chase never gained traction, as the Proteas wrapped up a dominant win to strengthen their position in the Super 8 stage and continue their impressive tournament form.

Proteas: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wkt), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

INDIA: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wkt), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Bube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.

Photo Credit: Proteas/X

The post Proteas Thrash India by 76 Runs in Super 8 Opener appeared first on SportsClub.

Corbin Bosch played a starting role with the ball, claiming figures of 3-12 to help limit the United Arab Emirates to 122-6.

Captain Aiden Markram blasted 28 off just 11 balls, while Dewald Brevis added 36 from 25 deliveries as South Africa surged to a comfortable six-wicket win.

As a result, South Africa finished the group stages with a perfect record, claiming four wins from four matches.

WATCH: Proteas vs UAE

The post Bosch & Brevis Fire Proteas to Commanding Win appeared first on SportsClub.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, sending South Africa out to bat.

The Proteas managed to hit up a score of 187-6, with Quinton De Kock hitting a score of 59 runs, while Ryan Rickelton smashed 61 runs from 28 balls.

Meanwhile, Dewald Brevis made 23 runs from 19 balls and David Miller made 20 runs from 15 balls not out and Marco Jansen made 16-7.

The Afghan Atalans had to chase a total of 187 and needed a total of 188 to win the match, but they were unable to reach that total, forcing the game to be settled in a super over.

Neither side were able to win in the super over after both teams made 17 runs, sending the game into another Super Over.

The match was finally decided when South Africa hit a score of 23, while Afghanistan were condemned to 19 runs.

As a result, the Proteas went on to secure the win after a historic second Super Over in what could be a topsy-turvy match between South Africa and Afghanistan.

Photo Credit: ProteasMenCSA/X

The post Proteas secure win over Afghanistan after two Super Overs appeared first on SportsClub.

Canada won the toss opted to bowl and sent the South Africans out to bat first.

The Proteas were expertly marshalled by captain Aiden Markram, who struck 59 runs off 32 balls at the top of the order.

He was supported by Quinton de Kock, who racked up 25 runs, Ryan Rickelton on 33, David Miller with 39 not out and Tristan Stubbs, who ended with 34 runs not out.

South Africa managed to hit up a score of 213-4, which is the highest total in this year’s competition so far.

Navneet Dhaliwal was Canada’s best performer on the day as he hit up a score of 64 before he ultimately fell, as Canada were restricted to 156-8, with Lungi Ngidi taking four wickets and Marco Jansen taking two, while also taking a wicket of his own.

The win sees South Africa lead Group D with two points, alongside New Zealand in second place.

The post Markram, Ngidi stars as Proteas thump Canada appeared first on SportsClub.