Manchester, June 21: Marizanne Kapp produced one of the defining all-round performances of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 as South Africa beat India by six wickets at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Sunday (June 21) in a match that swung sharply in both directions before ending with a composed chase.
Kapp first helped pull India back with the ball, taking two for 27 after a fast Indian start. She then anchored South Africa's chase with an unbeaten 81 from 45 balls, guiding the Proteas to 161 for four in 19.1 overs after India had posted 158 for seven.
The result keeps South Africa's semi-final hopes alive. Both South Africa and India now have two wins and one defeat, making the final round of group fixtures more significant in a tight qualification
race.
Kapp and Ismail halt India after rapid start
India began as if they were heading towards a total well beyond 180. Smriti Mandhana struck Shabnim Ismail for consecutive boundaries in the second over, while Shafali Verma gave the innings early pace with 31 from just 15 balls.
Mandhana's dismissal changed the first phase. She attempted to scoop Kapp but was bowled for 17 from 12 balls. Even so, India kept attacking. Chloe Tryon's first over went for 17, and India reached 50 in only 26 deliveries.
South Africa, however, recovered through better pace bowling and sharper lengths. Ismail removed Shafali with a short ball that the opener gloved behind to Sinalo Jafta. India still ended the powerplay strongly at 59 for two, but the momentum had started to shift.
Ayabonga Khaka struck with her second delivery, trapping Yastika Bhatia lbw for 15. Nadine de Klerk then made an immediate impact, dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues caught and bowled as India slipped to 83 for four shortly after the halfway mark.
Harmanpreet Kaur's innings came on a landmark night. The India captain was playing her 200th T20 international and batting for the 179th time in the format. She made 24 before being bowled by Ismail after needing extended attention during the second drinks break.
Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh tried to rebuild with positive intent, but South Africa's fielding and death bowling kept India in check. Deepti made 29, while Kapp and Khaka took important low catches as India finished at 158 for seven, short of what their start had promised.
South Africa chase revived by 97-run stand
South Africa's chase began poorly. They were behind the required rate early, and India seized control when Sree Charani struck twice in the powerplay. She first caught and bowled Laura Wolvaardt for 20, then bowled Annerie Dercksen for a two-ball duck.
Charani's double-wicket maiden left South Africa at 25 for two after six overs. At that stage, India had the game moving in their direction. Kapp and Tazmin Brits were forced to rebuild before thinking about the asking rate.
India then missed chances that proved expensive. Brits was dropped on 16, while Kapp survived on nine when a difficult opportunity went over the boundary. With 10 overs remaining, South Africa still needed 100 runs, and the match seemed to be slipping away from them.
The pressure eased once Brits overturned an lbw decision on 28 and Kapp began to find the gaps. A 13-run over from Charani helped South Africa regain rhythm, and Kapp's strokeplay became increasingly assured as the chase moved into its decisive phase.
Kapp reached her fifty from 34 balls, using power and invention, including two ramp shots that underlined her control of the situation. Her partnership with Brits grew to 97, turning a faltering chase into a realistic target.
India briefly fought back when Shafali Verma had Brits caught in the deep for 40, leaving South Africa needing 37 from 24 balls. Kapp was then dropped on 66, a costly miss that gave South Africa's best batter another chance to finish the match.
Charani, India's standout bowler, kept India alive by bowling de Klerk for five to finish with three for 24. But Kapp remained calm. A powerful six took South Africa close, and she struck the winning runs to complete a memorable chase.
India left to rue missed control moments
For India, the defeat will sting because they had strong positions in both innings. Their batting powerplay was dominant, but the middle overs brought wickets and reduced the final total. In the field, dropped chances gave South Africa room to recover from 25 for two.
South Africa, meanwhile, will take confidence from the manner of victory. Kapp's performance gave them balance with bat and ball, while Ismail, Khaka and de Klerk played key roles in restricting India after the early assault.
The result does not end India's campaign, but it tightens the group and increases the value of net run rate and remaining fixtures. South Africa's six-wicket win ensures the semi-final race stays open, with Kapp's unbeaten 81 now one of the tournament's most important innings.
