South Africa secured a crucial victory over India in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford, Manchester, powered by Marizanne Kapp’s match-winning all-round performance. The Proteas chased down 159 with one ball to spare, marking their highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.
Kapp first restricted India’s explosive start with two wickets for 27 runs, before anchoring the run chase with an unbeaten 81 off 45 balls. Her composed innings steered South Africa to 161 for four in 19.1 overs, overcoming a 25 for two slump in the powerplay.
The win kept South Africa’s semi-final aspirations alive, with both teams maintaining two wins and one loss in the group stage. The result intensified the competition ahead of the final round of fixtures.
India’s Rapid Start Halted by South African Bowling
India launched aggressively, with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma racing to 50 runs in 26 balls. Mandhana’s 17 off 12 ended with a scoop shot bowled by Kapp, breaking the initial momentum. Despite the early flurry, South Africa’s bowlers regrouped through disciplined pace bowling and sharp fielding placements.
Shabnim Ismail dismissed Verma with a short-pitched delivery, while Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk claimed key wickets to slow India’s progress. Harmanpreet Kaur’s milestone 200th T20 international appearance ended with a 24-run knock before she fell to Ismail. India’s innings closed at 158 for seven, short of their promising start.
97-Run Partnership Turns Tide for South Africa
South Africa’s chase stumbled early, with Sree Charani’s twin strikes leaving them 25 for two in the powerplay. Kapp and Tazmin Brits rebuilt steadily, capitalizing on missed chances and Charani’s expensive 13-run over. Brits overturned an lbw decision before forming a 97-run stand with Kapp, who reached her fifty in 34 balls with inventive strokeplay, including ramp shots.
Brits’ dismissal at 40 brought India back into contention, but Kapp’s resilience saw South Africa through. She survived a dropped catch on 66 and sealed the chase with a six and the winning runs, finishing with 81 not out.
India Rue Missed Opportunities
India’s unbeaten Kaur and fielding lapses proved costly. Dropped chances in both innings undermined their control, while their middle-order collapse limited the total. The defeat complicates their semi-final path, emphasizing the importance of net run rate and upcoming matches. South Africa, meanwhile, will draw confidence from Kapp’s heroics and their ability to recover from a precarious situation.
