Since their last victory against Australia at the WACA, England endured a 10-Test winless streak, marked by heartbreaking losses and frustrating draws. The drought began with a 6-wicket loss to India at Wormsley and was followed by a crushing 161-run defeat to Australia at Canterbury.
What came next was a string of five consecutive draws, showing England’s inability to break through. These included three against Australia and one each against India and South Africa. The Ashes 2023 brought another setback, as Australia toured England for a multi-format series, and the lone Test at Nottingham ended in an 89-run defeat for the hosts.
England’s struggles culminated in their 100th Test match, which was against India at the DY Patil Stadium, where Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance handed England their most significant defeat. Deepti’s match figures of 9 for 39 and her contribution with the bat (87 runs) powered India to a massive 347-run victory, the largest margin of victory in women’s Test history by runs.
This stretch of heartbreak and near-misses finally ended with England’s dominant 286-run win over South Africa in Bloemfontein, a long-awaited triumph that brought their decade-long drought to a close.
The victory was built on a combination of Lauren Bell’s career-best bowling, Heather Knight’s resilient knock, power packed centuries from debutant Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt and a collective team effort that overwhelmed the hosts inside three days.
Set an improbable target of 351, South Africa crumbled to 64 all out, their lowest-ever total in women’s Tests. England’s pace-bowling standout Lauren Bell was exceptional, taking 4 for 27 in the second innings after her impressive 4 for 49 in the first, giving her match figures of 8 for 76. Bell was well supported by Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with 2 for 7, and Lauren Filer, who chipped in with 1 for 12 in the fourth innings of the match.
South Africa’s collapse unfolded in just 19.4 overs, with their batting lineup offering little resistance apart from Marizanne Kapp’s defiant 21. The innings was in tatters when Bell trapped Sinalo Jafta lbw without scoring, leaving the hosts reeling at 44 for 7. Three overs later, Kapp’s dismissal – brilliantly caught by Tammy Beaumont at silly point – effectively sealed the result. Injured No.11 Ayanda Hlubi was unable to bat, ending South Africa’s innings in dramatic fashion.
Despite South Africa’s dismal batting display, Nonkululeko Mlaba shone brightly with the ball. The left-arm spinner made history by becoming the first South African to take 10 wickets in a women’s Test, finishing with figures of 4 for 90 and 6 for 67. Her control and ability to extract turn troubled England throughout, especially during a third-innings collapse that saw England lose 4 for 12 late in their innings.
Mlaba’s impressive spell included the dismissals of Nat Sciver-Brunt (37), Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, and Ryana MacDonald-Gay. She nearly had Sciver-Brunt earlier on 19, but Sinalo Jafta’s missed catch proved costly as Sciver-Brunt capitalized to hit three boundaries in a single over.
England’s triumph was set up by their captain, Heather Knight, whose gritty 90 off 191 balls anchored the innings and ensured her side posted 281 in their third innings. Knight’s composed knock, featuring 10 boundaries, was pivotal in extending England’s lead to 351. Her standout partnership came with Nat Sciver-Brunt, with the pair adding 67 runs for the third wicket.
However, Mlaba eventually had the last word, dismissing Knight with a delivery that turned sharply into the batter, trapping her lbw as she attempted a sweep shot. England’s innings ended with a late stumble, but Knight’s efforts ensured they remained in a commanding position heading into the final innings.
South Africa’s second innings started poorly as they lost both openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, within 5.2 overs. Wolvaardt, often their most dependable batter, was undone by a nip-backer from Bell, while Bosch fell lbw to Filer.
The turning point, however, came after the tea break. England appealed for a catch off Annerie Dercksen at short leg, and while the on-field umpire was initially unmoved, the decision was overturned after consulting with the third umpire, despite the absence of the Decision Review System (DRS). South Africa were visibly frustrated with the ruling, and their innings unraveled spectacularly from there.
Bell continued to wreak havoc, bowling Sune Luus with a beautiful inswinger. Chloe Tryon and Jafta fell for ducks, while Nadine de Klerk was run out for a pair. By the time Kapp was brilliantly caught close-in by Beaumont, the end was inevitable.
England’s emphatic win was not just a boost for their Test credentials but also a confidence builder as they head into January’s Ashes series in Australia, having already swept both preceding white-ball series on this tour. Lauren Bell’s standout performance with the ball and Heather Knight’s return to form are promising signs for the team as they prepare for tougher challenges.
For South Africa, this match was a mix of individual brilliance and collective disappointment. Nonkululeko Mlaba’s historic 10-wicket haul was a bright spot, but their inability to back up their bowling efforts with the bat will require serious reflection.
With their defeat by 286 runs – the third-largest loss by runs in women’s Test history – South Africa must regroup and focus on building greater batting resilience. Meanwhile, England can celebrate a landmark victory that reaffirms their status as a dominant force in women’s cricket.
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