Tazmin Brits struck a maiden T20 International century, an unbeaten 114, to power the Proteas Women to a commanding 88-run win over the Netherlands and keep their semi-final hopes firmly on track, at Bristol County Ground in Bristol, England, on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
Brits put on a 121-run opening stand with Laura Wolvaardt before powering to her maiden hundred as South Africa set the Netherlands 209 to win.
“At the end of the day, I just want us to win a World Cup. So if I can contribute in any sense, I’m all in.”
Player of the Match Winner, Proteas Women Opening Bat, Tazmin Brits
The Dutch put up a fight, with Phebe Molkenboer anchoring the chase for 41, but could not stop a crucial big win for the Proteas Women, who join India on six points and sit just behind them on net run rate with Bangladesh left to play in Group 1.
The Netherlands chose to put the unchanged South Africa side in to bat, and Brits opened up with Wolvaardt, who had been going through a dry spell by her lofty standards. Having made just 72 runs from three games in the tournament, the captain found her touch as she and Brits put on 121 for the first wicket.
The Netherlands had their chances, Frédérique Overdijk dropping Brits on 46 off the bowling of Caroline de Lange. The spinner’s over, the ninth of the innings, went for just two runs, the only one to concede less than a run a ball as the Dutch toiled in the heat.
Brits’ fifty came up off 36 balls, adding to the 40 she made against India following her return to the team. The opener continued to motor until both she and Wolvaardt were almost run out with Brits ball-watching.
The Netherlands eventually got the wicket they craved when Wolvaardt fell five runs short of her first half-century of the tournament, caught behind by Babette de Leede off the bowling of Hannah Landheer for 45.
“It’s not the 11 that defines us, it’s the 15. So whoever bats, whatever position you bat in, we just try and make sure that we get over the line.”
Brits’ new partner Annerie Dercksen understood her assignment perfectly, feeding Brits the strike as she pushed South Africa past 150. Then came her first century in T20 Internationals, brought up with a huge six off 63 balls. She and Dercksen accelerated further as the tournament passed 77 sixes, a new record, Dercksen crashing 37 not out off 16 balls as Brits ended on 114 not out from 69 balls. South Africa closed on 208 for 1.
Chasing a world record 209, Sanya Khurana, opening for the first time, gave the Netherlands a flying start.
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Marizanne Kapp, chasing her 100th T20 International wicket, saw a chance go begging as Chloé Tryon dropped Khurana on three in the slips, and Khurana made the most of the reprieve, taking Ayabonga Khaka for three boundaries in an over as the Dutch showed courageous fight.
The visitors reached the end of the powerplay at 50 without loss, but Shabnim Ismail soon struck, taking the catch off Tryon to dismiss Khurana for 36 from 22 balls, the wicket bringing up Tryon’s 50th in T20 Internationals. Sterre Kalis then took on the scoring as the run rate slowed, before she fell for 26 to a fine diving catch by Sinalo Jafta off Ismail, leaving the Netherlands 100 for 2.
Molkenboer eventually departed for a run-a-ball 41, run out by Dané van Niekerk, and Robine Rijke went three balls later for one as the Dutch stuttered. Khaka returned to pick up three wickets in the final over as the resistance finally gave way, the Netherlands ending 88 runs short on 120 for 8.
The result keeps South Africa in command of their own semi-final fate. Victory over Bangladesh at Lord’s would all but assure the Proteas Women of a place in the last four, a far cry from the doubts that followed their opening defeat to Australia, and Brits’ record-breaking night offered the clearest sign yet that this side is peaking at the right time.
The Proteas Women Group Results and Fixtures at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales
Sat 13 June: Australia beat South Africa by 65 runs (Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wed 17 June: South Africa beat Pakistan by 2 wickets (Edgbaston, Birmingham)
Sun 21 June: South Africa beat India by 6 wickets (Old Trafford, Manchester)
Thu 25 June: South Africa beat Netherlands by 88 runs (Bristol County Ground, Bristol)
Sun 28 June, 11h30: South Africa vs. Bangladesh (Lord’s, London)
All times are SAST
South Africa Women Starting XI against the Netherlands at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Bristol County Ground, Bristol, on 25 June 2026
1. Laura Wolvaardt (Captain)
2. Tazmin Brits
3. Annerie Dercksen
4. Dané van Niekerk
5. Marizanne Kapp
6. Nadine de Klerk
7. Chloé Tryon
8. Sinalo Jafta (Wicketkeeper)
9. Shabnim Ismail
10. Ayabonga Khaka
11. Nonkululeko Mlaba
Substitutes:
12. Tumi Sekhukhune
13. Kayla Reyneke
14. Karabo Meso
15. Suné Luus
Netherlands Women Starting XI against South Africa
1. Frédérique Overdijk
2. Hannah Landheer
3. Iris Zwilling
4. Babette de Leede (Captain, Wicketkeeper)
5. Caroline de Lange
6. Sterre Kalis
7. Myrthe van den Raad
8. Phebe Molkenboer
9. Robine Rijke
10. Silver Siegers
11. Sanya Khurana
Substitutes:
12. Isabel van der Woning
13. Lara Leemhuis
14. Rosalie Lawrence (Wicketkeeper)
(Heather Siegers (late withdrawal through illness)
Original Copy: The ICC, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Tazmin Brits struck a maiden T20 International century, an unbeaten 114, to power the Proteas Women to 208 for one and an 88-run win over the Netherlands at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, at Bristol County Ground in Bristol, England, on 25 June 2026. Photo: Getty Images / ICC
Photo 2 Caption: Shabnim Ismail struck to dismiss Sanya Khurana as the Proteas Women tightened their grip against the Netherlands on Thursday evening.
Photo 3 Caption: Ayabonga Khaka claimed three wickets in the final over to lead the wickets column against the Netherlands in their penultimate group match.
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