Women’s World Cup T20: South Africa’s script history with stunning chase against India breaks Australia’s record

ByTech Word News

South Africa beat India by six wickets at Old Trafford. (Photo credit: ICC) Marizanne Kapp produced one of the best innings in the history of the Women’s World T20 as South Africa stunned India by six wickets at Old Trafford on Sunday in a record-breaking run chase that kept their semi-final hopes alive.The Proteas successfully chased down 159 with five balls to spare, powered by Kappa’s breathtaking 81 off just 45 deliveries. In doing so, South Africa not only registered their most successful chase in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup when they smashed their previous high of 135 against Australia in the 2024 semi-final, but also set a new benchmark in women’s T20 internationals.With the win, South Africa recorded their 10th successful run in over 150 innings in the Women’s T20Is, overtaking Australia (nine) for the most of any side in the format. Remarkably, four of those 10 wins came in 2026 alone.

South Africa is rewriting the record books

The 159-run chase now ranks as the most successful in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Only England’s chase of 164 against Australia in the 2009 semi-final and West Indies’ chase of 163 against New Zealand earlier in 2026 are higher.Four of South Africa’s 10 successful 150-plus runs have come against India, including their all-time high of 193 in Johannesburg earlier this year.The victory significantly boosted South Africa’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals. The Proteas, who had already suffered defeat against unbeaten Australia, needed a win to stay in contention.

Successful over 150 runs in the Women’s World Cup T20

  • 164 – ENG-W vs AUS-W, The Oval, 2009 SF
  • 163 – WI-W v NZ-W, Southampton, 2026
  • 159 – SA-W v IND-W, Old Trafford, 2026
  • 151 – SL-W v NZ-W, Southampton, 2026
  • 150 – IND-W vs PAK-W, Cape Town, 2023

Kapp turns the tide after a slow start

South Africa’s reply appeared to be faltering at 45/2 after nine overs, with the required rate climbing past 10 overs. But Kapp and returning opener Tazmin Brits changed the contest with a match-defining partnership of 97 runs.The Brits, playing their first T20 World Cup match since the 2024 final, contributed a valuable 40 off 36 balls. Both batsmen enjoyed bits of luck, with the British overturning the decision lbw on 28 and Kapp surviving the fall on 25.Kapp reached her half-century from just 34 balls and accelerated brilliantly at the death. Even after Shafali Verma dismissed the Brits in the 17th over, the all-rounder continued her onslaught, smashing a six off the very next delivery and surviving another chance for 65.She then hammered two sixes off Deepti Sharma in the decisive 16th over in the 19th over before Chloe Tryon hit the winning boundary.Earlier, Kapp also played with the ball, claiming 2-27, including the prized wicket of Smriti Mandhan.India, who posted 158/7 after useful contributions from Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur, now face a must-win clash with Australia at a sold-out Lord’s next Sunday.