Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk helped restrict New Zealand as the Proteas women sealed an 11-run victory in the fifth and final T20 series at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Sunday.
New Zealand were sitting pretty at 130-2 and dramatically fell to 144-8 as they fell 11 runs short of the target. The Proteas level the five-match T20 series 1-1 (the first three were rained out), after winning the ODI series 2-1.
Chasing a mere 156 for victory, the Proteas got the early breakthrough of Kate Anderson, who chipped Masabata Klaas' delivery to Anneke Bosch at cover for 11.
A 97-run second-wicket stand between Bates and Kerr took the game away from the hosts as they continued to rotate the strike and pick up boundaries.
Allrounder Nadine de Klerk then broke the partnership as she trapped Bates LBW for 45 off 42 (hitting five fours).
THE PROTEAS WOMEN LEVEL THE SERIES
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) October 15, 2023
A expectional fight from the Proteas Women to win by 11 wins over New Zealand 🇿🇦🇳🇿
What A Win ❗#AlwaysRising #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/enYOVVbGbM
Kerr shouldered the innings and looked set to see New Zealand through until the end, but a massive collapse was beckoning for the visitors.
Klaas got Kerr to chip the ball straight to Sune Luus at point for a well-played 61 off 41 balls (hitting nine fours).
Needing just 25 for victory, New Zealand looked to clinch the series, but Klaas and De Klerk tore through their middle order in emphatic fashion.
Skipper Sophie Devine fell for eight, Maddy Green bowled for 1, and Brooke Halliday's run out for 1 were just some of the New Zealand wickets that fell as the visitors lost four wickets in 10 runs in the final two overs.
De Klerk, Klaas and Khaka bowled yorkers to further frustrate and bamboozle the NZ batting line-up, and South Africa delighted the small crowd with a level series T20 win.
Klaas ended on figures of three for 26, with De Klerk also capturing three for 24.
Earlier on, after being sent to bat first, the Proteas failed to accelerate the game and take on the New Zealand bowling attack.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt started off positively but swung and missed from Lea Tahuhu for 24 off 20 balls.
Then a 60-run second-wicket stand between Tazmin Brits and Anneke Bosch formed, but it was the only partnership of note as New Zealand kept building pressure.
Bosch was deceived in the end by a low delivery as she attempted to drive but was bowled by Molly Penfold (2/27) for 28.
Brits top-scored with 45 off 38 balls (hitting five fours and a six) before she tried to was caught off Tahuhu, who ended on figures of two for 20.
Chloe Tryon (9) and Nadine de Klerk (1) didn't last long, and it was left to former Proteas skipper Sune Luus to see her side to a respectable total on the used Benoni pitch.
Luus played a gritty and handy knock, remaining unbeaten on 36 off 23 (hitting five fours) as the Proteas posted 155-5.
SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
NEW ZEALAND: Suzie Bates, Kate Anderson, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu, Molly Penfold, Fran Jonas, Eden Carson