Women’s T20 World Cup. South Africa’s history of scripting a remarkable chase against India, surpassing Australia’s Cricket News record:

South Africa beat India by six wickets at Old Trafford. (Image credit: ICC)

Marizanne Kapp produced one of the greatest innings in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup as South Africa stunned India by six wickets at Old Trafford on Sunday, pulling off a record chase that keeps their hopes alive in the semifinals.The Proteas successfully chased down 159 with five balls to spare, powered by Kapp’s stunning 81 off just 45 deliveries. In doing so, South Africa not only registered their longest successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 135 against Australia in the 2024 semifinal, but also set a new benchmark in Women’s T20 internationals.With the win, South Africa recorded their 10th successful chase of a 150-plus target in Women’s T20Is, surpassing Australia (nine) for the most in any part of the format. Remarkably, four of the 10 victories came in 2026 alone.

South Africa rewrote the record books

The 159-run chase now ranks among the highest successful chases in Women’s T20 World Cup history. England’s chase of 164 against Australia in the 2009 semifinal and West Indies’ chase of 163 against New Zealand earlier in the 2026 edition were higher.Four of South Africa’s 10 successful 150-plus chases have come against India, including their highest chase of 193 in Johannesburg earlier this year.The win greatly boosted South Africa’s hopes of reaching the semifinals. Having already suffered a loss to unbeaten Australia, the Proteas need a win to stay in contention.

Successful 150-plus chase in the Women’s T20 World Cup

Kapp turned the tide after a slow start

South Africa’s reply appeared sluggish at 45/2 after nine overs, with the required rate rising above 10 runs. But Kapp and returning opener Tazmin Brits transformed the contest with a 97-run partnership that decided the match.The Brits, playing their first T20 World Cup game since the 2024 final, contributed a valuable 40 from 36 balls. Both batters enjoyed slices of fortune, with the Brits overturning an lbw decision on 28 and Kapp surviving a drop on 25.Kapp reached his half-century from just 34 balls and swung hard in his death overs. Despite Shafali Verma dismissing the Brits in the 17th over, the all-rounder continued his onslaught, smashing a six off the next delivery and saving another chance in the 65th over.She then hammered two sixes off Deepti Sharma in a decisive 16-run 19th over before Chloe Tryon hit the winning boundary.Earlier, Kapp also starred with the ball, claiming 2-27, including the precious wicket of Smriti Mandhana.India, who posted 158/7 after useful contributions from Shafali Verma and: Harmanpreet Kaur:now face a must-win match against Australia at a sold-out Lord’s next Sunday.