Shabnim Ismail marked her return to T20 international cricket after three years away with the wicket of Beth Mooney, while Marizanne Kapp removed Georgia Voll for a four-ball duck as the Proteas struck early.
But Phoebe Litchfield rescued Australia from 24-2 with a barnstorming 23-ball fifty, taking Ismail for 15 in a single over before departing shortly after.
Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham then combined for a 58-run partnership to steer Australia to 172-8, with Nonkululeko Mlaba taking 2-22 the pick of the South African bowlers.
Highlights: Proteas vs Australia – T20 Women’s World Cup
The chase proved beyond the Proteas from the outset. Suné Luus and Annerie Dercksen both fell cheaply to leave South Africa 7-2, and despite Laura Wolvaardt’s composed 44 off 39 balls, the required rate climbed beyond reach.
Sophie Molineux claimed 2-17 in her first World Cup game as captain, while Wareham finished with 3-13 as South Africa were bowled out for 107 in 16.4 overs.
The result gave Australia revenge for their semi-final defeat against the Proteas in the 2024 edition, with Kayla Reyneke’s earlier catching effort one of the few bright spots for South Africa on a sobering evening in Manchester.
Photo: Ashley Allen/Getty Images
