In the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match played on June 9, 2026, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first. South Africa posted a strong total of 183/5. New Zealand chased down the target to finish at 186/5, clinching a five-wicket victory with two balls to spare thanks to a captain’s knock of 61 from Amelia Kerr.
South Africa Women posted a formidable total of 183/5 in their 20 overs, anchored by an explosive finish from Chloe Tryon, who smashed an unbeaten 61 off just 26 balls, including 3 fours and 6 sixes. At the top of the order, opener Sune Luus fell early for 4 runs off 9 balls, caught by Patel off Devine, but captain Laura Wolvaardt provided strong initial momentum with a brisk 43 off 27 balls hitting 8 fours before giving a return catch to Jess Kerr.
Following a brief stay by Dane van Niekerk, who was bowled by Jess Kerr for 3, Nadine de Klerk built a solid platform with a well-made 46 off 33 balls including 7 fours until she was cleaned up by Amelia Kerr. Marizanne Kapp chipped in with 11 off 14 deliveries before being caught by Green off Devine’s bowling, while Kayla Reyneke provided a late cameo at the death, finishing unbeaten on 8 from just 2 balls with a six, alongside 7 extras given away entirely as wides.
New Zealand deployed six bowlers to counter the South African batting lineup, with Sophie Devine leading the efficiency by taking 2 for 16 in her 3 overs. Jess Kerr was also among the wickets, claiming 2 for 21 from her 3 overs, while Amelia Kerr picked up 1 wicket in her full quota of 4 overs but proved expensive, leaking 42 runs. Among the wicketless bowlers, Bree Illing delivered a full spell of 4 overs, conceding 36 runs, and Nensi Patel gave away 31 runs in her 3 overs. Rosemary Mair turned out to be the most expensive bowler in the attack, surrendering 37 runs from just 3 overs.
New Zealand Women successfully chased down their target, reaching 184/5 in 19.4 overs. The innings was spearheaded by captain Amelia Kerr, who smashed a brilliant 61 off just 32 balls, hitting 9 fours and 2 sixes before being stumped by Meso off Mlaba’s bowling. Opener Georgia Plimmer set a strong foundation with 38 off 30 deliveries including 3 fours and 2 sixes until she was caught by Meso off de Klerk, while her opening partner, wicketkeeper Isabella Gaze, contributed a quick 13 off 10 balls before being stumped by Meso off Tryon.
Sophie Devine provided rapid acceleration with a blazing 28 off 13 balls, striking 3 fours and 2 sixes, before falling to a catch by Wolvaardt off Khaka. Brooke Halliday added 21 off 19 balls before being bowled by Khaka, leaving Maddy Green unbeaten on a brisk 19 off 13 balls and Izzy Sharp not out on 1 off a single delivery to secure the win, aided by 3 extras.
South Africa rotated through seven different bowlers in their defense, with Ayabonga Khaka being the primary wicket-taker, claiming 2 for 41 in her 3.4 overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba stood out as the most economical bowler, delivering a full quota of 4 overs and taking 1 for 26, while Nadine de Klerk also completed 4 overs, finishing with 1 for 32. Chloe Tryon picked up a wicket as well, conceding 20 runs in her 2 overs. Among the wicketless bowlers, Marizanne Kapp kept things relatively steady, giving away 22 runs in her 3 overs, whereas Shabnim Ismail conceded 21 runs from 2 overs. Kayla Reyneke proved to be the most expensive option in the attack, surrendering 21 runs from her single over.
New Zealand excelled thanks to an incredibly explosive captain’s knock from Melie Kerr, who smashed 61 off just 32 balls, alongside a highly economical bowling spell from Sophie Devine, who picked up 2 for 16 to keep the target within reach. In contrast, South Africa’s defense faltered as their bowling unit leaked runs too freely, highlighted by Ayabonga Khaka and Kayla Reyneke conceding expensive economy rates, while their top-order batting failed to generate early momentum, with Sune Luus and Dane van Niekerk dismissed cheaply for single-digit scores.
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