Nthabiseng Nini and Ayanda Hlubi picked up three wickets apiece to help the Proteas Women seal an exciting 14-run victory and complete a 5-0 series whitewash over Zimbabwe following the fifth T20 International (T20I), at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
In a Player of the Match display, Nini claimed leading figures of three for 19, alongside Hlubi’s career-best return of three for 24, as the Proteas Women restricted the Lady Chevrons to 150/8 in 20 overs after posting 164/6, thanks to notable knocks from Kayla Reyneke (34*) and Anneke Bosch (33).
For the fourth game in a row, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat. The latest new-look opening pair of Miané Smit (30) and Faye Tunnicliffe (25) put on a 37-run stand before the latter was trapped LBW by Michelle Mavunga (3/46).
Smit and Karabo Meso (6) pushed the touring side to 56/1 at the end of the powerplay before Zimbabwe struck in quick succession, removing Meso, Smit and Laura Wolvaardt (7) through Nyasha Gwanzura (1/19), Beloved Biza (1/21) and Kudzai Chigora (1/37) to reduce the visitors to 79/4 in the 11th over.
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The Proteas Women fought through the challenging period with a crucial 75-run stand for the fifth wicket between Reyneke and Bosch, propelling the tourists past the 150-run mark in the final over. Despite two late wickets from Mavunga, including the dismissals of Bosch and Annerie Dercksen (8), South Africa ended their innings on 164/6.
In their chase, Zimbabwe lost two early wickets as Hlubi and Nini removed Nyasha Gwanzura (16) and Lorraine Pemhiwa (2), respectively, to leave the home side on 22/2 in the fourth over.
Despite the stuttering start, the hosts asked questions of the South African bowlers through an explosive 80-run partnership between Kelis Ndhlovu (38) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (29), helping Zimbabwe progress to 102/2 after 13 overs.
Still needing 63 runs from the final seven overs, Caitlin Wyngaard (1/18) made the all-important breakthrough by clean bowling Mugeri-Tiripano. That wicket opened the door for the Proteas Women as Hlubi picked up two scalps with consecutive deliveries to reduce Zimbabwe to 110/5 in the 15th over.
Despite contributions from Sharne Mayers (19), Josephine Nkomo (11) and Michelle Mavunga (12), the target proved beyond the home side as Nini claimed two late wickets, in addition to a run-out completed by Meso, to wrap up South Africa’s 14-run victory and a dominant 5-0 series whitewash.
Anneke Bosch was named the Player of the Series following her leading knocks with the bat, ending the tour with 214 runs in four innings, including two half-centuries and a high score of 83.
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The Proteas Women will next be in action in December when they host India in a multi-format tour featuring a Test match, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20Is.
The Zimbabwe Women vs. Proteas Women T20 International Series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Fri 11 Sept: Proteas Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 6 wickets
Sun 13 Sept: Proteas Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 64 runs
Tue 15 Sept: Proteas Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 80 runs
Thu 17 Sept: Proteas Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 80 runs
Sat 19 Sept: Proteas Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 14 runs
Proteas Women won the series 5-0.
Proteas Women Playing XI
1. Miané Smit
2. Faye Tunnicliffe
3. Karabo Meso (Wicketkeeper)
4. Kayla Reyneke
5. Laura Wolvaardt (Captain)
6. Anneke Bosch
7. Annerie Dercksen
8. Caitlin Wyngaard
9. Seshnie Naidu
10. Ayanda Hlubi
11. Nthabiseng Nini
Reserves
12. Jae-Leigh Filander
13. Eliz-Mari Marx
14. Luyanda Nzuza
15. Nondumiso Shangase
Zimbabwe Women Playing XI
1. Nyasha Gwanzura
2. Lorraine Pemhiwa (Wicketkeeper)
3. Kelis Ndhlovu
4. Josephine Nkomo (Captain)
5. Beloved Biza
6. Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
7. Kudzai Chigora
8. Michelle Mavunga
9. Sharne Mayers
10. Nomvelo Sibanda
11. Francisca Chipare
Reserves
12. Lindokuhle Mabhero
13. Tendai Makusha
14. Loreen Tshuma
15. Christine Mutasa
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Proteas Women defended 164 for 6 and restricted the hosts to 150 for 8 to win the fifth T20 International by 14 runs and complete a 5-0 series whitewash over Zimbabwe, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Saturday, 19 September 2026. All Photos: Zimbabwe Cricket
Photo 2 Caption: Nthabiseng Nini claimed three for 19 from her four overs to earn the Player of the Match award in the series finale.
Photo 3 Caption: Ayanda Hlubi returned a career-best three for 24, including two wickets with consecutive deliveries in the 15th over.
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