Marizanne Kapp produced one of the best performances in Women’s T20 World Cup history as South Africa stunned India by six wickets at Old Trafford on Saturday, with a superb performance that kept their semi-final hopes alive.The Proteas were all out for 159 in five balls as Kapp scored 81 in just 45 overs. In doing so, South Africa not only registered their highest run in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup, surpassing their 135-run win against Australia in the 2024 semifinal, but also set a new benchmark in the Women’s T20 world cup.With the win, South Africa recorded their best run of 10-plus 150 runs in Women’s T20Is, surpassing Australia (9) for the most in any side. Amazingly, four of those 10 wins came in 2026 alone.
South Africa also produces record books
The 159-run chase is now one of the best in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Only England’s chase of 164 against Australia in the 2009 semifinal and West Indies’ pursuit of 163 against New Zealand in early 2026 are higher.Four of South Africa’s 10 150-plus runs have come against India, including their 193-run chase in Johannesburg earlier this year.The win has boosted South Africa’s hopes of reaching the semifinals. Having already lost to unbeaten Australia, the Proteas needed a win to stay in the competition.
Best 150-plus run in the Women’s T20 World Cup
- 164 – ENG-W vs AUS-W, The Oval, 2009 SF
- 163 – WI-W vs NZ-W, Southampton, 2026
- 159 – SA-W vs IND-W, Old Trafford, 2026
- 151 – SL-W vs NZ-W, Southampton, 2026
- 150 – IND-W vs PAK-W, Cape Town, 2023
Kapp turns the tide after a slow start
South Africa’s reply looks set to fail at 45/2 after nine overs, with the rate required to rise above 10 runs over. But Kapp and returning opener Tazmin Brits turned the tournament around with a match-defining 97-run partnership.The Brits, playing their first T20 World Cup match since the final in 2024, managed 40 from 36 balls. Both batsmen enjoyed periods of luck, with the Brits toppled lbw on 28 and Kapp surviving a drop on 25.Kapp reached his fifty off just 34 balls and scored a huge run at the death. Despite Shafali Verma dismissing the Brits in the 17th over, the all-rounder continued to bat, smashing a six off the next delivery and surviving another chance at 65.She then hit two sixes off Deepti Sharma in the 16-run 19th over before Chloe Tryon hit the winning boundary.Earlier, Kapp also played the ball, taking 2-27, including the valuable wicket of Smriti Mandhana.India, who scored 158/7 after useful contributions from Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaurthey now face a must-win clash against Australia at Lord’s next Sunday.