Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer struck crucial half-centuries to guide New Zealand to an 80-run victory over the Proteas Women at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Kerr recorded 11 fours and two sixes on her way to a 44-ball 78, supported by Plimmer’s career-best of 63 off 44 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes) as the home side posted 190/7. In response, South Africa were restricted to 110/7, with Sophie Devine taking her best figures of four for 12.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing a wicket with the first ball of the innings after Nadine de Klerk brilliantly ran out Izzy Gaze (0), the hosts recovered well through Plimmer and Kerr, racing to 61/1 at the end of the powerplay.
The pair continued to find boundaries with ease as both batters brought up their half-centuries, sharing a 146-run stand for the second wicket before Masabata Klaas (2/15) broke the partnership by dismissing Kerr.
That wicket gave the Proteas Women a route back into the contest in the second half of the innings, as Nonkulileko Mlaba (1/29), Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka (1/37), and de Klerk (2/32) combined to slow the White Ferns’ surge, ensuring the hosts finished just short of the 200-run mark.
In reply, South Africa struggled to find their rhythm at the crease, with Tazmin Brits (29), Kayla Reyneke (24), and de Klerk (19) the main contributors in a difficult outing for the visitors.
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Their efforts were overshadowed by the New Zealand bowlers, with Jess Kerr (2/13) and Devine striking at regular intervals to seal a commanding win in the first of the five-match T20I series.
The second encounter will take place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, 17 March.
Result and Fixtures of the New Zealand vs South Africa T20I Series (All matches 03h:45 CAT)
Sun 15 March: White Ferns Beat Proteas Women by 80 runs (Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui)
Tue 17 March: White Ferns vs Proteas Women 2nd T20I (Seddon Park, Hamilton)
Fri, 20 March: White Ferns vs Proteas Women 3rd T20I (Eden Park, Auckland)
Sun, 22 March: White Ferns vs Proteas Women 4th T20I (Sky Stadium, Wellington)
Wed, 25 March: White Ferns vs Proteas Women 5th T20I (Hagley Oval, Christchurch)
Proteas Women’s T20I Squad against New Zealand
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain, Fidelity Titans)
Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions)
Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers)
Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions)
Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions)
Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans)
Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
Karabo Meso (DP World Lions)
Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Original Copy: Cricket SA Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: New Zealand claimed an 80-run victory over the Proteas Women in the opening match of their five-match T20I series at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, 15 March 2026. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Izzy Gaze’s run-out off the first ball looked good for SA, but Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer’s 146-run stand powered New Zealand to victory.
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