South Africa Women Vs Pakistan Women: Luus’ unbeaten 93 guides Proteas to commanding win at Mangaung Oval
In the rain-affected opening One-Day International of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa 2026, south africa women vs pakistan women produced a decisive performance as South Africa set 260/6 in 41 overs and then bowled out Pakistan for 223 in 38. 5 overs to win by 37 runs. The result gives the hosts early control of the three-match ODI series heading into the second match.
Match reduced to 41 overs at Mangaung Oval after weather interruptions
The contest in Bloemfontein was reduced to 41 overs a side because of weather interruptions. South Africa, having won the toss under cloudy skies, elected to bat at Mangaung Oval with Laura Wolvaardt as captain. The Proteas posted 260/6 in their allotted 41 overs; Pakistan were bowled out for 223 in 38. 5 overs, leaving them 37 runs short.
Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen rebuild after early South African setbacks
Early pressure hit South Africa when Tazmin Brits was dismissed for 10 in the fourth over, leaving the hosts 84/3 by the 17th over after contributions of 43 from Laura Wolvaardt and 13 from Lara Goodall. It was then that all-rounder Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen put together an 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 12. 2 overs. Dercksen played a brisk 31 off 37 before her innings ended to Syeda Aroob Shah, handing momentum to Luus.
Sune Luus anchors innings with unbeaten 93 and Jafta accelerates late
Luus remained resolute, finishing an unbeaten 93 off 78 balls with eight fours and one six to anchor the innings. In the late overs Sinalo Jafta produced a career-best 57 not out off 38 balls, striking at 150, the highest strike rate of the match, and helped propel South Africa to their competitive total of 260/6 in 41 overs. Pakistan bowlers Nashra Sandhu (2/45) and Ayesha Zafar (1/29) took wickets but could not prevent the late surge.
Pakistan recover through Sidra Amin and Ayesha Zafar but collapse after key dismissals
Chasing 261, Pakistan began cautiously with Muneeba Ali departing cheaply. Sidra Amin and Ayesha Zafar engineered a strong recovery, combining for a 116-run partnership for the third wicket. Amin scored 68 from 69 balls while Zafar made 81 off 94 deliveries. At 159 for 3 Pakistan were in contention and needed just over six runs an over with plenty of batting left, but the momentum shifted when Luus broke through to dismiss Amin, and Luus finished with figures of 2 for 31 in six overs.
Lower-order resistance not enough as Sekhukhune finishes with three wickets
Aliya Riaz offered brief resistance with a lively 32 off 26 balls, hitting 6 boundaries, but Tumi Sekhukhune delivered crucial late breakthroughs, claiming 3 for 50 in 7. 5 overs. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 223 in 38. 5 overs. The result underlined South Africa’s depth and composure under pressure; while Pakistan displayed resilience through the Amin–Zafar stand, their inability to finish the chase exposed vulnerabilities in the lower middle order.
Coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s pre-series message and squad, and the ODI schedule
Before the series began, head coach Mandla Mashimbyi had demanded “bravery” and a winners’ mindset as the Proteas switched focus to the 50-over format after celebrating their T20 series victory over Pakistan. Mashimbyi said, “It was a perfect opportunity for us to gauge where we are and identify the gaps we need to fill, ” and added, “The potential in this team is huge and there’s still so much growth to come. ”
He stressed improving execution with the bat: “We’ve identified that sometimes it’s the position that stifles execution, ” and said, “Now we’re helping them understand what position to get into for which shot. Once that becomes second nature, they can dictate the game and manipulate the field. ” On the mental shift to the longer format he insisted, “The mindset is that we want to be winners. When you think like a winner, you train like one and you operate like one, ” and noted, “We’re focusing on small individual victories that ultimately build a winning force in world cricket. ”
Mashimbyi emphasised the series’ wider importance, noting the ODIs carry weight in the race for automatic qualification for the 2029 World Cup as part of the ICC Women's Championship, and said, “The emphasis is to win. The points will look after themselves if we focus on every game. We can’t take any match for granted. ” He described the squad’s blend of youth as the early stages of “Project 2029, ” and said, “Bravery and risk are synonymous, ” adding, “But it’s about understanding what the game needs and what the team needs from you in that moment — not what you need. ” He also revealed the team use a formula to break the innings into manageable phases, stacking “small victories” across the 50 overs, and said if they execute that blueprint they will strengthen their qualification push and continue shaping a side heading to England in June.
The squad named for the series includes Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Tazmin Brits, Fay Cowling, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon and Faye Tunnicliffe. The ODI fixtures were listed as: Sunday at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, 10am ET; Wednesday at SuperSport Park, Centurion, 2pm ET; and Sunday, March 1 at Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 10am ET.
Publication and coverage notes
One platform that provided a match report described itself as the world’s FIRST platform dedicated entirely to women’s cricket. A separate publication noted its reputation for in-depth investigative journalism, analytical features and background stories, including opinion columns, editorials and interviews.
