South Africa Women edged past Pakistan Women in a thrilling opening encounter of the tour, and the series is already living up to expectations. The first T20I went right down to the wire, with Pakistan posting a challenging 180 for 9. South Africa held their nerve in a tense chase and eventually got over the line on the very last ball, finishing on 185 for 5, courtesy of a dramatic six.
With the second T20I scheduled to be played on 13th February 2026, both teams will be eager to build on the momentum from a cracking series opener. South Africa Women have looked confident and composed in recent times, and after their win in the first match will only boost their belief. Captain Laura Wolvaardt will be pleased with how her side absorbed pressure in crunch moments. As the hosts gear up for the second T20I, here are the top three South African players to watch out for.
Laura Wolvaardt
The South African captain continues to be the backbone of the batting lineup. With 2,286 runs from 86 WT20Is at a strike rate of 118, including two centuries and 13 half centuries, Wolvaardt has established herself as one of the most reliable batters in world cricket. In the first T20I, she once again led by example, scoring a fluent 61 off just 38 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six. Her calm presence at the top and ability to pace a chase make her South Africa’s most vital player heading into the second match.
Ayanda Hlubi
The 21-year-old right-arm medium pacer has made a strong impression early in her international career. In just six WT20Is, Hlubi has already picked up eight wickets. She was outstanding in the first T20I against Pakistan, claiming three crucial wickets and breaking key partnerships when Pakistan looked set for an even bigger total. Her ability to bowl with control in the middle overs and strike at important moments makes her a key weapon for South Africa’s bowling attack.
Kayla Reyneke
Kayla Reyneke had a dream T20I debut in the opening match of the series. The right-hand batter and right-arm off-break bowler made an immediate impact with both bat and ball. Batting with confidence, she scored an unbeaten 29 off just 16 balls, striking at an impressive rate of 181, including one boundary and three sixes. With the ball, she was equally effective, finishing with figures of 2 for 13 from four overs at an outstanding economy of 3.25. Her all-round performance under pressure marked her out as a player to keep a close eye on in the second T20I.
With the series finely poised and momentum firmly with the hosts, South Africa will once again look towards these key players to deliver. If they can replicate their composure from the first match, the Proteas Women will be confident of extending their lead against a spirited Pakistan side.
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