At the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Group 1 clash hosted at Old Trafford in Manchester, all-rounder Marizanne Kapp delivered a career-defining all-round performance to hand South Africa a dramatic six-wicket victory over India, reigniting the Proteas’ chances of reaching the tournament’s semi-finals. With just five deliveries remaining in their chase, South Africa crossed the finish line of a 159-run target, capping off a stunning comeback led by Kapp’s unbeaten 45-ball knock of 81, which included seven fours and four blistering sixes. This result leaves both sides level on four points in the group standings, setting up a decisive final stretch of group stage fixtures for both nations.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her milestone 200th T20 International match, won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that got off to a promising start. Opening batter Shafali Verma got the side off to a flying start, notching 31 runs off just 15 deliveries with three boundaries and one six, lifting India to 59-2 by the end of the mandatory powerplay. But the innings stalled early: both opening batters were back in the pavilion before the powerplay ended, with Smriti Mandhana bowled while attempting a risky scoop shot and Verma edging a short delivery behind to the wicketkeeper. No subsequent Indian batter was able to match Verma’s aggressive start, and despite a late 29 runs from 21 balls from Deepti Sharma, India could only post a competitive total of 158-7 from their 20 overs. Kapp was India’s undoing with the ball as well, claiming two key wickets for just 27 runs, including the scalps of Mandhana and dangerous lower-order batter Richa Ghosh, while Shabnim Ismail backed her up with 2-28 to keep India’s total in check.
South Africa’s chase got off to a rocky start, with Indian leg-spinner Sree Charani picking up three wickets for 24 runs, including two strikes in three balls that left the Proteas reeling at 25-2 by the final over of the powerplay. It was at this precarious juncture that Kapp joined Tazmin Brits at the crease to rebuild the innings. The pair started cautiously, reaching only 59 runs by the halfway point of the chase, before gradually shifting gears and building a match-winning partnership. When Brits fell for 40 runs off 36 balls, caught in the deep off Verma, the partnership was just three runs short of a century, leaving Kapp with the majority of the chase still ahead. Minutes later, Kapp survived a major scare when Indian spinner Radha Yadav dropped a straightforward catch at long-on, a missed opportunity that would prove costly for India.
Kapp made India pay immediately for the error, hammering two consecutive sixes over the ropes off Deepti Sharma in the penultimate over of the chase, putting the Proteas within touching distance of victory. Chloe Tyron eventually sealed the win with a edge for four off Nandni Sharma in the 19th over, securing the six-wicket win with five balls to spare. Post-match, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt heaped praise on the match-winner, calling Kapp the most impactful big-match player she has ever shared a dressing room with. “Whenever something is on the line or we’re playing in a World Cup she finds a way,” Wolvaardt said. “She said she didn’t feel great today so I hope she doesn’t feel great every game! She just has that competitive nature and it brings out the best in her.” Analysis of the match also noted that India struggled to adjust their bowling plans when Kapp moved around the crease and targeted the area behind square on the leg side, allowing her to accumulate runs at will in the back half of the innings.
For the group standings, the result puts South Africa level with India on four points, behind unbeaten group leaders Australia who sit top with six points from two matches. South Africa still has group fixtures against Bangladesh and the Netherlands to come, while India now faces a do-or-die clash against Australia at Lord’s on 28 June, a match that will likely decide which of the two sides advances to the semi-finals from Group 1. Having suffered a 65-run thrashing at the hands of Australia in their opening group fixture, this win was a must for South Africa to retain any realistic hope of claiming one of the two Group 1 semi-final spots, and Kapp’s historic knock has kept their campaign firmly on track.