South Africa Women Beat Zimbabwe Women by 14 Runs

South Africa Women won by 14 runs over Zimbabwe Women in the fifth T20I of the South Africa Women tour of Zimbabwe 2026, successfully defending 164/6 against 150/8. Nthabiseng Nini, the Player of the Match, led the decisive bowling effort with three wickets as South Africa completed a five-match clean sweep.

Zimbabwe produced their closest contest of the series in the final match, but South Africa held their nerve to protect a competitive total. The visitors had already sealed the series before this fixture, having won the first four T20Is by six wickets with 41 balls remaining, 64 runs, 80 runs and 80 runs.

South Africa set a defendable 164

Kayla Reyneke led South Africa Women’s batting with 34 runs, while Anneke Bosch contributed 33 and Miane Smit made 30 in the total of 164/6 from 20 overs. The collective effort gave the bowlers enough runs to defend despite Zimbabwe’s more determined final-day display.

Michelle Mavunga was credited with three wickets for Zimbabwe Women, while Nyasha Gwanzura and Beloved Biza took one wicket apiece. Gwanzura’s return of 1/19 from three overs and Biza’s 1/10 from three overs were particularly economical efforts, although South Africa’s batting depth kept the total moving.

Nini and Hlubi close out the chase

Zimbabwe Women fought hard in pursuit and reached 150/8 from their 20 overs. Kelis Ndhlovu top-scored with 38, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano added 33 and Sharne Mayers made 19, but the hosts were unable to find the final surge required to overhaul the target.

Nini and Ayanda Hlubi were South Africa’s match-winners with three wickets each, breaking Zimbabwe’s momentum at key stages of the chase. Caitlin Wyngaard added one wicket as South Africa defended 164 with a disciplined finish to secure the 14-run victory.

Series sweep completed

The result extended South Africa Women’s dominance across the five-match T20I series. After opening with a six-wicket win, they followed with increasingly commanding margins before being pushed much closer in the finale. Zimbabwe’s 150/8 was their strongest score in a more competitive final contest, but South Africa completed a 5-0 series sweep.

Key performers

• Kelis Ndhlovu: 38 runs for Zimbabwe Women.
• Kayla Reyneke: 34 runs for South Africa Women.
• Anneke Bosch: 33 runs for South Africa Women.
• Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano: 33 runs for Zimbabwe Women.
• Nthabiseng Nini: 3 wickets and Player of the Match.
• Ayanda Hlubi: 3 wickets for South Africa Women.

NerdSports Stat: Nthabiseng Nini and Ayanda Hlubi combined for six of Zimbabwe Women’s eight wickets, leaving the hosts only two dismissals outside South Africa’s leading pair.

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