Women's World Cup: All-round South Africa seal thrilling win over New Zealand to closer to semi-finals spot

Women's World Cup 2022: South Africa defeated New Zealand by 2 wickets in a last-over thriller in Hamilton to extend their unbeaten run and inch closer to the semi-final spot.

South Africa rode on a terrific all-round effort to extend their winning run at the Women's World Cup 2022 to 4 matches with a thrilling last-over victory over hosts New Zealand on Thursday in Hamilton. South Africa are at the 2nd spot on the 8-team points table tied on 8 points with leaders Australia who are also unbeaten in the tournament so far.

South Africa successfully chased 229 runs but it needed a nerveless batting effort from Marizanne Kapp who hit an unbeaten 34 from 35 balls. The Proteas Women were cruising towards the target at 161/2 after Laura Wolvaardt hit 67 and fifty from captain Sune Luus.

However, South Africa slipped to 170/5 after losing both ther set batters.

But it was the veteran Kapp, who had taken 2-44 during the New Zealand innings, who was left to steer her team home in an increasingly nervous run chase.

“I think these games have to stop now, I’m tired,” the 32-year-old Kapp said. “Again it was a team effort, again we weren’t at our best but I believe the perfect game is just around the corner.

“I’m always nervous, I’m not going to lie. (Wolvaardt and Luus) batted well today but you can’t get too relaxed because, as you saw, the game can change like that. Luckily today we got away with the win and I’m happy to be standing on the winning side.”

South Africa needed 72 to win from 95 balls when Wolvaardt was out for 67 after her third consecutive half century at the tournament. It needed 59 from 59 balls when Luus was out for 51, with five wickets still intact in the 41st over.