The South Africa under-19 Women maintained their perfect record in the Youth T20 Tri-Series, securing their fourth consecutive victory with a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe under-19 Women in the fifth match at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
Melissa van der Merwe and Ziya Mohanlall led a dominant bowling performance with returns of three for 12 as the home side bowled out the tourists for 95 in the allotted 20 overs, before Mieke van Voorst top-scored with a 40-ball 45 (6 fours) to help the SA U19s complete the chase with 34 balls to spare.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Zimbabwe lost opener Nicollette Nyika (0) with just one run on the board. Christina Mutasa (12) and Nokutenda Makanhiwa (12) steadied the ship with a 30-run stand before Mohanlall picked up her first wicket of the day, removing Mutasa.
The second wicket quickly brought the third and fourth for South Africa, as van der Merwe cleaned out Makanhiwa and Lorraine Pemhiwa (1) in the seventh over to leave Zimbabwe 35/4.
A 27-run partnership between Tadiwa Garutsa (9) and Makanaka Zinyama (23) propelled the Zimbabweans to 62/4 in the 13th over before the South African bowlers took control of the innings, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Wickets from Ashleigh van Wyk (1/10), Mohanlall, Van der Merwe and Miya Lalor (1/10), along with a run-out, ensured Zimbabwe were bowled out for 95 at the end of their 20 overs.
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In their chase, the SA U19 Women got off to a positive start at the crease. The opening pair of van Voorst and Lalor raced to 33/0 in the fourth over before their stand was brought to an end by Buhlebenkosi Maposa (1/11) when she dismissed Lalor.
That scalp was quickly followed by two wickets in one over from Salem Maseka (3/22), getting the better of Shreeya Subbiah and Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout before both batters got off the mark, to see South Africa reduced to 41/3 within the powerplay.
With Zimbabwe’s tails up in the field, the SA U19s had the experienced duo of van Voorst and Karabo Meso (14*) to thank for calming the hosts’ nerves as they teamed up for a 39-run stand to take their side to 80/3 in the 12th over.
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Although Museka eventually removed Van Voorst, five runs short of her second half-century of the series, and Vanessa Mayedza (1/15) dismissed Jae-Leigh Filander (3), the SA U19 Women calmly crossed the line to seal the win and preserve their unbeaten run.
The final round-robin match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series will take place on Friday, 16 January, when the Cricket South Africa Youth XI face Zimbabwe Under-19 Women at Chatsworth Oval from 13h00. The match will be streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel.
SA U19 Women Squad
Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga)
Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga)
Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province)
Miya Lalor (Western Province)
Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions)
Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal)
Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal)
Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo)
Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal)
Melissa van der Merwe (Boland)
Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm)
Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm)
Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province)
Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal)
Results and Fixtures of the SA U19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe U19 Women and CSA Youth XI at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban (All matches start at 1pm)
Fri 9 January – SA U19 Women beat Zimbabwe U19 by 31 runs
Sat 10 January – SA U19 Women beat CSA Youth XI by 11 runs
Mon 12 January – SA U19 Women beat CSA Youth XI by 20 runs
Tue 13 January – CSA Youth XI beat Zimbabwe U19 by 18 runs
Thu 15 January – SA U19 Women beat Zimbabwe U19 by 5 wickets
Fri 16 January – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe U19
Sun 18 January – Youth T20 Tri-Series Final (Venue TBC)
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Melissa van der Merwe (pictured) and Ziya Mohanlall starred with the ball as South Africa under-19 Women maintained their perfect record in the Youth T20 Tri-Series, securing their fourth consecutive victory with a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe under-19 Women in the fifth match at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Thursday, 15 January 2026. File Photo: CSA
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