An unbeaten half-century from Sophie Devine guided New Zealand to a six-wicket win over the Proteas Women in the third T20 International (T20I), helping her side to a 2-1 series lead with two matches to play at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, 20 March, 2026.
Devine struck six fours and one six in a knock of 55* off 38 balls, alongside Amelia Kerr (30) and Maddy Green (35*), as the White Ferns successfully chased down South Africa’s first-innings total of 149/7, which was inspired by Laura Wolvaardt (37) and Kayla Reyneke (34*).
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Proteas got off to a shaky start as both openers, Tazmin Brits (0) and Suné Luus (3), departed early off the bowling of Jess Kerr (1/30) and Rosemary Mair (1/32).
The innings was brought back on track by a 50-run partnership between Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen (27), with South Africa reaching 60/2 in the eighth over before the home side responded by taking wickets at regular intervals.
With Dercksen, Chloé Tryon (15), Nadine de Klerk (8), Wolvaardt and Sinalo Jafta (4) back in the dugout, Reyneke took centre stage with an explosive knock, including three sixes, to push the Proteas Women to a competitive total.
Suzie Bates (2/10) and Devine (2/21) were the standout bowlers for the hosts.
With bat in hand, the White Ferns were restricted to 42/2 in the powerplay, with Dercksen (1/17) and Ayanda Hlubi (1/31) striking early before Amelia Kerr and Devine stabilised the innings.
The pair added 30 runs for the third wicket before A. Kerr was trapped leg before wicket by Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/20), which was quickly followed by the departure of Brooke Halliday (2) thanks to a run-out that left New Zealand 68/4 after 10 overs.
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That wicket proved to be the last moment of joy for the South Africans, as Devine combined effectively with Green in a match-winning 84-run stand, with the Player of the Match bringing up her 22nd T20I half-century.
The home side eventually reached the target with eight balls to spare to complete the chase and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The fourth T20I will get underway on Sunday, 22 March at the Hnry Stadium in Wellington.
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: Proteas Women beat White Ferns by 18 runs (Seddon Park, Hamilton)
Fri, 20 March: White Ferns beat Proteas Women by six wickets (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: Kayla Reyneke gave South Africa brief hope with an inspiring close to the SA innings, but it was New Zealand’s Sophie Devine who’s unbeaten knock powered the hosts to a six-wicket win over the Proteas Women to take a 2-1 lead in the T20I series at Eden Park in Auckland, on Friday, 20 March, 2026. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Annerie Dercksen pictured in the release moment of her delivery, one of three SA bowlers to pick up a wicket in New Zealand’s chase.
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