Marizanne Kapp produced one of the finest innings in Women’s T20 World Cup history as South Africa stunned India by six wickets at Old Trafford on Sunday, pulling off a record-breaking chase that kept their semifinal hopes alive.The Proteas successfully hunted down 159 with five balls to spare, powered by Kapp’s breathtaking 81 off just 45 deliveries. In doing so, South Africa not only registered their highest successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 135 against Australia in the 2024 semifinal, but also set a new benchmark in Women’s T20 internationals.With the victory, South Africa recorded their 10th successful chase of a 150-plus target in Women’s T20Is, overtaking Australia (nine) for the most by any side in the format. Remarkably, four of those 10 victories have come in 2026 alone.
South Africa rewrite the record books
The 159-run chase now ranks among the highest successful pursuits in Women’s T20 World Cup history. Only England’s chase of 164 against Australia in the 2009 semifinal and West Indies’ pursuit of 163 against New Zealand earlier in the 2026 edition are higher.Four of South Africa’s 10 successful 150-plus chases have come against India, including their highest-ever chase of 193 at Johannesburg earlier this year.The victory significantly boosted South Africa’s hopes of reaching the semifinals. Having already suffered a defeat to unbeaten Australia, the Proteas needed a win to remain in contention.
Successful 150-plus chases in 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 slow start
South Africa’s reply appeared to be faltering at 45/2 after nine overs, with the required rate climbing above 10 runs an over. But Kapp and returning opener Tazmin Brits transformed the contest with a match-defining 97-run partnership.Brits, playing her first T20 World Cup game since the 2024 final, contributed a valuable 40 from 36 balls. Both batters enjoyed slices of fortune, with Brits overturning an lbw decision on 28 and Kapp surviving a drop on 25.Kapp reached her half-century from just 34 balls and accelerated brilliantly at the death. Even after Shafali Verma dismissed Brits in the 17th over, the all-rounder continued her assault, smashing a six off the very next delivery and surviving another chance on 65.She then hammered two sixes off Deepti Sharma in a decisive 16-run 19th over before Chloe Tryon struck the winning boundary.Earlier, Kapp also starred with the ball, claiming 2-27, including the prized wicket of Smriti Mandhana.India, who posted 158/7 after useful contributions from Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur, now face a must-win clash against Australia at a sold-out Lord’s next Sunday.
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