Women’s T20 World Cup: Tazmin Brits record ton helps South Africa crush Netherlands, keeps semi-final hopes alive | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: South Africa boosted their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding 88-run win over the Netherlands in Bristol on Thursday.Opening batsman Tazmin Brits produced the innings of her career, remaining unbeaten on 114 from 69 balls as South Africa posted a tournament-best 208/1 before restricting the Netherlands to 120/8.The win was South Africa’s third in a row after their opening defeat to Australia and lifted them to six points from four matches, level with India in Group 1. However, the Proteas remain behind India on net run rate. Their semi-final hopes will now hinge on Sunday’s clash against Bangladesh, while India face group leaders Australia.Brits was the star of the evening, scoring his first T20I century in his 82nd match. Her unbeaten 114 was the second highest individual score in Women’s T20 World Cup history, behind Meg Lanning’s 126 against Ireland in 2014.She shared a 121-run opening stand with captain Laura Wolvaardt, who made 45, before adding an unbroken 87-run partnership with Annerie Dercksen, who smashed 37 not out off just 16 balls.The British started aggressively, helping South Africa reach 66 without loss in the PowerPlay. During her knock, she also became the second South African woman after Wolvaardt to complete 2,000 T20I runs.He reached his century in the 18th over with his first six of the innings and finished with three sixes and 15 boundaries. The total of 208/1 was South Africa’s highest score in Women’s T20 World Cup history.The Netherlands made a positive start to the chase, reaching 50 without loss in the PowerPlay through Phoebe Molkenboer and Sanya Khurana. Molkenboer (41), Khurana and Sterre Kalis kept the scoreboard moving as the Dutchman crossed 100 in the 15th over.However, they were never close to the required run rate and suffered a dramatic collapse late in the innings, losing seven wickets for the last 20 runs.Ayabonga Khaka led South Africa’s bowling attack with figures of 3/19, while Shabnim Ismail continued his remarkable form after returning from retirement. Ismail claimed her 48th wicket in Women’s T20 World Cup history, equaling Australia’s Megan Schutt for the first time in the tournament.Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, the British admitted that she did not realize that she was close to a century.“I actually didn’t even realize I was close to that, to be honest with you. I just wanted to try to get to 200, so that was the main goal. I’m very chuffed. It’s nice to do that, especially in a World Cup,” he said.The Briton also revealed that she had been working to improve her off-side game and explained her unique celebration after reaching three figures.“It was a sign language celebration. I was asked to do it, so I tried to study it a little bit. It said, ‘I’m grateful to God.’South Africa now head into a must-win clash against Bangladesh at Lord’s, knowing another win could seal a place in the semi-finals if results go their way.