South Africa strengthened their chances of reaching the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with an impressive six-wicket victory over India at Old Trafford on Sunday. The win was powered by an outstanding all-round display from Marizanne Kapp, who first delivered a disciplined spell with the ball and then produced a match-winning unbeaten 81 off just 45 deliveries.
Set a target of 159 to chase, South Africa didn’t get off to the best start as they lost two wickets within the powerplay finishing at 25 for 2. But Kapp teamed up with Tazmin Brits, in her first game of the tournament, and together they changed the contest. In South Africa’s case, their third wicket partnership of 97 runs was a key moment in the match as it steadied the innings and swung the game heavily back in their favour.
Kapp’s innings was not without luck, with India letting slip a few chances to dismiss her. She narrowly survived difficult chances on 9 and 25 before a third dropped catch when she had scored 65. The seasoned all-rounder punished India for their school-girl errors, and remained unbeaten and saw her side home with ease. Brits too played an essential second-fiddle role with a steady hand that kept the run-chase afloat.
India earlier had an explosive start after electing to bat first. Fired to go from ball one, Shafali Verma exploited the available raw pace and peppered the field with boundaries. She was also instrumental in helping India race to 47 for 1 (in the first four overs) along with Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana was a picture of elegance with a flurry of strokes until she went for another big shot against Kapp and got out.
A couple of timely breakthroughs allowed South Africa back in the match. A promising knock of 31 from Shafali ended with the review confirming an edge through to the wicketkeeper. Ayabonga Khaka then has Yastika Bhatia caught lbw for 1 and Jemimah Rodrigues falls soon after to leave India struggling at 82 for 4.
Then India was on the lookout for captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma to build the innings. The duo contributed some handy runs but South Africa continued to keep the throttle on. Harmanpreet hit a couple of boundaries before being bowled by Shabnim Ismail for 24. With South Africa completing their plans, Deepti and Richa Ghosh also lost momentum towards the end. India scored only 36 runs off the last four overs and finished with a competitive-looking total of 158, one they eventually learnt was not enough.
India took cover of all the major points of Kapp as she finished with impressive figures of 2 for 27 from his four overs. The most economical bowler for South Africa, she was always in the game trying to apply pressure.
India’s bowlers began on a positive note in the quest of defending the target. The only real breakthrough came when N Shree Charani took a return catch off her own bowling to dismiss South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt for 20. In that very over, she had the other opener Annerie Dercksen caught out also and South Africa were 25 for 2 at this point with India in early control of the contest.
The rate required was well down the line when South Africa reached that stage, but Kapp and Brits inched up to it over time. Both Kapp and Brits also scored at will off the spinners, but Kapp was most aggressive early on while for Brits her confidence steadily increased in this innings. Calf and Rubel hit 50 in the 12th over of their partnership and slowly continued the chase, despite giving a few chances.
The duo kicked on the accelerator and it was in the 15th over that decided the course of the match when both were attacking Arundhati Reddy. Brits banged a boundary straight down the ground, watching as Kapp hit inventive scoops and sweeps in response to bang out runs. The over cost 16 runs, but shattered India’s hopes.
South Africa were well in command by the time that partnership ended. Her side had moved well within touching distance of the knockout rounds by completing the chase with Kapp not out to complete an undefeated performance and avoid any late worries.
India and South Africa remain with four points each in the group. India has to beat Bangladesh and Australia now, while South Africa have only two matches remaining, both against Bangladesh and the Netherlands, which enhances their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.
