Women’s T20 World Cup. Tazmin Brits record helps South Africa crush Netherlands, stay alive in semi-finals |: Cricket News:

NEW DELHI: South Africa strengthened their chances of reaching the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a commanding 88-run win over the Netherlands in Bristol on Thursday.Opening batsman Tazmin Brits produced the innings of his career, remaining unbeaten on 114 off 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 consecutive loss after their opening loss to Australia and lifted them to six points from four games, level with India in Group 1. However, the Proteas remain behind India in net run rate. Their semi-final hopes will now hinge on Sunday’s clash against Bangladesh, while India face group leaders Australia.The Brits was the star of the night, scoring his maiden T20I century in his 82nd match. Her unbeaten 114 is 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 in just 16 balls.The Brits 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 18th century in his first six innings and finished with three sixes and 15 boundaries. The total of 208/1 is South Africa’s highest score in Women’s T20 World Cup history.The Netherlands made a positive start to the chase, reaching 50 not out in PowerPlay through Phoebe Molkenboer and Sanya Khurana. Molkenboer (41), Khurana and Sterre Kalis kept the scoreboard moving as the Dutch crossed 100 in the 15th over.However, they were nowhere near 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 comeback after coming back from retirement. Ismail claimed her 48th wicket in Women’s T20 World Cup history, equaling Australia’s Megan Schutt as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Brits admitted that he almost didn’t realize he was close to a century.“I never realized I was this close, to be honest. I just wanted to try and get us to 200, so that’s the main goal. I’m really happy. It’s great to do that, especially in a World Cup,” he said.The Brits also revealed he has been working on improving his off-side game and explained his incredible celebration after reaching three figures.“It was a sign language celebration. I was asked to do it, so I tried to learn it a little bit. I said, ‘I’m grateful to God.'”South Africa now head into a must-win clash against Bangladesh at Lord’s, knowing that one more win could seal a place in the semi-finals if results go their way.