Proteas women bounce back with win over New Zealand

Paarl played host to the fixture on a stunning evening in the Cape Winelands, where ball triumphed over bat as South Africa bowled New Zealand out to earn a 65-run win.

Following South Africa's shock loss to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on Friday, this was a seemingly must-win encounter for the hosts. After winning the toss, captain Sune Luus opted to set a total, but was almost left to rue her decision.

A disciplined start from the New Zealand bowlers saw Tazmin Britz caught lbw in the opening over, followed by South Africa's richest women's cricketer, Marizanne Kapp, in the third with Lea Tahuhu doing the damage.

Laura Volvaardt and Luus then put on 33 runs before they fell in quick succession to leave South Africa teetering at 55-4 in the ninth over.

But the powerful Chloe Tyron proved to be the savior. Taking advantage of being dropped early on, the finisher bludgeoned 40 off 30 balls to add some respect to the total, with Nadine de Klerk proving great support with her 28 off 26 to take the hosts to 132/6.

Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba - second in the ICC Women's T20 bowling rankings - opened the bowling for South Africa and quickly found her mark, beating Bernadine Bezuidenhout in the air to earn a stumping, then bowling Suzie Bates with one that kept low, leaving New Zealand 7/2. Kapp cleaned up Georgia Plimmer and Ayabonga Khaka found an outside edge putting the visitors in tatters at 18/4.

Mlaba would return later to pick up her third wicket as she recorded 3 for 10 in her allotment, while Player of the Match Tyron also bagged two scalps.

New Zealand's total of 67 was their second-lowest total in T20s, leaving them on the brink of elimination.