Earlier, India had beaten Bangladesh by five wickets in Manchester to put the pressure on the Proteas Women to respond as the race for the second semi-final spot in the Group goes down to the wire.
Thursday’s results means India and South Africa are now effectively involved in a shoot-out for the second semi-final spot behind unbeaten Group A leaders Australia.
Both have six points – two behind the Australians and two ahead of Bangladesh – who still have a slim mathematical chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Crucially, India play Australia and South Africa face Bangladesh, with both matches taking place at Lord’s on Sunday.
India have the better run rate but face the daunting task of toppling Australia, while South Africa gave their net run rate a healthy boost with the convincing win over the Netherlands.
India’s NRR stands at +2.268 compared to the Proteas Women’s +0.734.
South Africa were never in danger once Brits and Laura Wolvaardt put on 121 for the first wicket.
When Wolvaardt departed for 45, Brits continued to cane the Dutch bowlers, with Annerie Dercksen who made 37 not out off 16 balls.
Brits finished with 114 not out from 69 balls with 15 fours and three sixes as South Africa finished on 208-1 – their highest ever score at a T20 World Cup.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🔝 Tazmin Brits, that was special 🤩
Watch the #T20WorldCup LIVE, broadcast details here ➡️ https://t.co/niBjzedxPu pic.twitter.com/mfWRYwdJx7
— ICC (@ICC) June 25, 2026
It also came a day after head coach Mandla Mashimbyi called for greater consistency from his batting line-up and the team responded in brilliant fashion.
The Dutch also made a good start, with openers Phebe Molkenboer (41) and Sanya Khurana (36) adding 58 for the first wicket. Sterre Kalis kept momentum going with a 28-ball 26, but once those three were gone, the innings folded meekly.
Medium-pacer Ayabonga Khaka was the most successful of the South African bowlers with 3-19, while slow left-armer Chloe Tryon took 2-16 from her four overs.
At Old Trafford in Manchester, Indian produced a wobbly effort which saw them put down four catches.
However, Bangladesh, who had been level on four points with India and South Africa heading into the round of fixtures, were too weak to capitalise as they slumped to 136-8.
Spin again provided the bulk of India’s wickets, with Radha Yadav taking 3-28 and Shree Charani 2-21, but they will need to improve their fielding if they are to have any hope against six-time champions Australia.
Opener Shafali Verma struck 53 from 34 balls as India reached their target inside 17 overs.
— AFP
Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
