Brits led the charge with a commanding 116 off 128 balls (12 fours), guiding South Africa to 270-6 after 50 overs before rain intervened in the seventh over of Sri Lanka’s innings, resulting in a no-result.
Despite losing the toss and being tasked to bat first under overcast conditions at Buffalo Park, Laura Wolvaardt (41) and Brits propelled South Africa to 55-0 after 10 overs.
The partnership was broken when Wolvaardt was caught behind off Kaveesha Dilhari’s bowling (2-47), leaving the Proteas at 96-1 after 20 overs.
Subsequently, Brits found a new ally in Anneke Bosch (39), as they pushed the Proteas past the 100-run mark, reaching 154-1 after 30 overs before Bosch fell to Oshadi Ranasinghe (2-42), ending their 70-run partnership.
Brits then partnered with Suné Luus (22), adding 40 runs before Luus departed in the 41st over to Sungadika Kumari (2/67).
In a remarkable innings, Brits achieved her hundred in the 42nd over, but lost another partner in Marizanne Kapp (six) shortly after, leaving the Proteas at 220-4 after 44 overs.
Brits’ exceptional performance ended in the 46th over, as an attempt to loft the ball over the bowler’s head resulted in Kumari taking a comfortable catch on the boundary.
With less than four overs remaining, all-rounder Nadine de Klerk’s quickfire 34 off 22 balls, alongside Delmi Tucker (eight not out), carried South Africa to a commanding total.
In response, Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne (nine not out) and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (12*) got their side off to a solid start, reaching 23-0 after 6.5 overs before heavy rain stopped play.
The second ODI takes place on Saturday at the Kimberley Oval (2pm).
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
