South Africa had played only 3 matches, prior to the ICC Women World Cup 2014, against New Zealand, losing all of them. However determined Proteas side led by Skipper Mignon Du Preez went on to create several memorable feats, 6 years back, on this day at Sylhet.
It was a virtual quarterfinal for South Africa. Though they had won 2 out of 3 of their matches, it was a must-win match for them to qualify for the knock-outs. New Zealand who was invincible till then won the toss and decided to bat first. Kiwis lost their first wicket in the form of Suzie Bates (12) in the seventh over after she and Devine had put up 41 runs.
Though the Kiwi batters tried heart out to increase the run rate, the spin attack of South Africa kept them at bay. Spin trio- Sunette Loubser, Sune Luss and Dane Van Niekerk conceded only 41 runs in 9 overs and picked up 3 valuable wickets of Bates, Katie Perkins (9) and Sara McGlashan (12). New Zealand faced another set back when their set opener Sophie Devine got out in the 16th over. Devine was sent back to the pavilion by Marizanee Kapp after she had made 40 runs with 5 boundaries.
New Zealand only managed to score 31 runs in last 28 balls, after the fall of Devine. Loss of Devine in the dying overs cost her team few more runs as she had proved her worth many times in slog overs. South African pace attack then restricted the Kiwi side to only 114 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The total was far behind the average first innings total (138) in 17 matches played in Sylhet before the game.
In 17 matches played before, the team batted first had won the 13 games and New Zealand had won all their matches in that tournament, defending the total. On the other hand, South Africa too had won all their matches, batting first.
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Chasing a modest total of 115, South Africa didn’t get the desired start. They lost their destructive opener, Lizelle Lee, in 3rd and Trisha Chetty in the very next over. South Africa was staggering at 16/2 in the 4th over. Skipper Mignon du Preez and Dane van Niekerk then steered the South African innings. They played the balls according to their merit and helped their team to cross 50 runs mark in 11th over.
Unfortunately, Niekerk lost her wicket to Suzie Bates in the very same over. Mignon was batting on 21 off 25 balls and she required 63 runs from 54 balls. Kapp then joined Preez and duo collected 29 runs in next 3 overs including 5 boundaries. These released the mounting pressure of run rate, leading a sensible cricket by this pair as they kept taking singles and doubles.
They added 54 runs in 46 balls for the 4th wicket. In the meantime, Mignon Du Preez completed her well deserved 4th half-century in 46 balls with 5 boundaries. Though South Africa lost two wickets in consecutive delivers in the form of Kapp and Preez, it was too late for Kiwis to make a comeback. Shandre Fritz and Chloe Tryon hit a boundary each to clinch the victory without any further casualty.
South Africa vs New Zealand
| South Africa | Match | Won | Lost | Tie/NR | Win % |
| Overall | 11 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 18.18 |
| In World T-20 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
South Africa made their first World Twenty20 semi-finals, beating New Zealand by five wickets and knocking them out of the tournament in the process. At the same time, South Africa recorded their first victory over New Zealand in T20 cricket. This still remains their only victory against New Zealand in T-20 World Cup, even after 6 years.
In the all over scenario, South Africa has managed to claim 2nd victory in 2020 when they defeated New Zealand in a bilateral tournament by 5 wickets.
Brief Score:
New Zealand 114/8 (Sophie Devine 40, Marizanne Kapp 3/23) lost to South Africa 116/5 (Mignon du Preez 51, Sophie Devine 2/26) by 5 wickets.
