South Africa had a comfortable outing against India in Match No. 18 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits were phenomenal with the bat, leading the Proteas to a six-wicket win and keeping the semi-final hopes alive. The two never felt pressure in a 159-run chase and completed the target in 19.1 overs.

Kapp scored an unbeaten 81 runs off 45 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes. On the other hand, Brits was dismissed after amassing 40 off 36 deliveries, with the help of two fours and 1 maximum.

The two added 97 runs for the third wicket to keep South Africa ahead in a must-win game.

Earlier, Laura Wolvaardt (20 off 21) and Annerie Dercksen (0) were sent back by Shree Charani in a span of two balls to give India much-needed breakthroughs. However, the partnership between Kapp and Brits was the game-changer. There were some nervy moments in the death overs as South Africa lost a couple of wickets, but Marizanne Kapp was unfazed, taking her team over the line.

Charani was among the wickets, getting rid of three batters. Shafali Varma managed to take 1 wicket, but the below-par performances from the other bowlers didn’t allow India to put South Africa on the back foot. India dropped several catches, which proved costly in the end.

Meanwhile, India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first, with the hope of putting a big total on the board. However, the wrong shot selection and clever bowling by South African bowlers restricted India to 158 for 7 in 20 overs.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma gave a flying start to the team, adding 30 runs in 2.5 overs before the former played a reckless shot on the last ball of the third over to script her downfall. She scored 17 runs off 12 balls, laced with 3 boundaries. Shafali managed 31 runs in 15 balls, including 4 boundaries and 1 six.

Yastika Bhatia (15 off 13) and Jemimah Rodrigues (12 off 14) couldn’t capitalise on a good start.

Harmanpreet was not aggressive and took 22 balls to post 24 runs, hitting just 2 fours.

Deepti Sharma (29 off 21) and Richa Ghosh (15 off 14) tried to take on the rival bowlers, but it was not their day.

Kapp and Shabnim Ismail picked up two wickets each, while Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba picked up one scalp each, respectively.