In a gripping contest at Hagley Oval, South Africa Women defeated New Zealand Women by two wickets in the opening ODI of the 2026 tour. The match lived up to expectations as it went down to the final ball, with Kayla Reyneke emerging as the hero.
Chasing a competitive 269, South Africa held their nerve despite losing wickets at crucial intervals. Debutant Reyneke’s unbeaten 42 off 32 deliveries ensured the visitors crossed the finish line in dramatic fashion. The victory gives South Africa a 1-0 lead in the series and sets the tone for a fiercely contested tour.
New Zealand post competitive total after middle-order resistance
Put in to bat first, New Zealand posted 268 all out in 50 overs, thanks largely to a strong middle-order effort. After a cautious start, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer built a steady foundation, but regular breakthroughs prevented a dominant start.
Captain Amelia Kerr contributed a composed 36, stabilizing the innings during the early phase. However, it was Maddy Green who anchored the innings with a fluent 85, combining patience with timely aggression.
Support came from Isabella Gaze, who added a valuable 37, helping New Zealand recover from mid-innings pressure. Despite these contributions, the hosts lost wickets in clusters towards the end, limiting their chances of reaching a bigger total beyond 280.
South Africa’s bowling attack, led by disciplined spells, ensured New Zealand were kept within reach.
A standout performance came from Ayabonga Khaka, who delivered a match-defining spell. She picked up 6 wickets for 56 runs, dismantling New Zealand’s batting lineup at key moments.
Khaka’s ability to strike in the middle and death overs proved crucial. She removed set batters, including the dangerous Maddy Green and triggered a late collapse that saw New Zealand lose their final wickets quickly.
Her performance not only restricted the total but also shifted the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favor heading into the chase.
Kayla Reyneke holds nerve to seal last-ball victory
South Africa’s chase began on a shaky note with an early dismissal, but captain Laura Wolvaardt steadied the innings with a fluent 61. Her knock provided the foundation for a competitive chase.
The highlight of the innings was a crucial 123-run partnership between Annerie Dercksen (72) and Sune Luus (53). Their stand revived South Africa after early setbacks and put the team in a strong position.
However, New Zealand fought back with timely wickets. Bowlers like Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr tightened the screws, creating pressure in the latter half of the innings.
As wickets continued to fall, the match swung unpredictably, setting up a thrilling finish.
With the game hanging in the balance, Reyneke stepped up with a composed and fearless innings. Her unbeaten 42 proved decisive as she guided South Africa through a tense final over.
Reyneke displayed remarkable calmness under pressure, finding boundaries when needed and rotating the strike effectively. With 6 runs required off the final ball, she kept her calm and sealing a memorable victory for her team.
What a performance from Kayla Reyneke on her ODI debut ⚡#NZvSA #KaylaReyneke pic.twitter.com/fDWWyULrAi
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 29, 2026
Her finishing ability under pressure will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the match.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
