Christchurch, March 29 – Kayla Reyneke hit a six off the last ball of her ODI debut to seal a dramatic two-wicket victory for South Africa over New Zealand in the series opener at the Hagley Oval on Sunday.
Player of the Match, Kayla, finished unbeaten on 42 off 32 balls and guided the Proteas to victory after Ayabonga Khaka's career-best 6-56 had restricted the hosts to 268. Annerie Dercksen top-scored with 72 from 93 deliveries, while Sune Luus added 53, keeping the chase alive before Kayla sealed the win.
New Zealand, asked to bat first under overcast conditions, were being led by Georgia Plimmer (28) and Amelia Kerr (36) before Khaka and Chloe Tryon struck in quick succession to reduce the home side to 112/4 after 28 overs.
Maddy Green anchored the innings with her 10th half-century, sharing an 80-run stand with Izzy Gaze (37), and later adding 92 runs with Jess Kerr (24) in the final overs. Khaka returned to claim four late wickets as the White Ferns were bowled out in the 50th over.
South Africa's reply faltered early as Jess Kerr and Bree Illing dismissed Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, leaving the visitors at 30/2 in six overs. Annerie and Sune then rebuilt with a 123-run partnership, but New Zealand hit back through Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr, who dismissed the set batters in successive overs, along with Sinalo Jafta and Chloe falling cheaply.
At 190/6, the chase looked in trouble, but Nadine de Klerk (39) combined with Kayla to add 48 runs before Rosemary Mair's late strikes left the match finely poised.
With 22 needed off the final 13 balls, Kayla, along with Tumi Sekhukhune (six not out), cleared the ropes twice in the last over, including on the final delivery, to hand South Africa a thrilling victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 268 (Maddy Green 85, Izzy Gaze 37; Ayabonga Khaka 6-56) lost to South Africa 269/8 (Annerie Dercksen 72, Sune Luus 53; Amelia Kerr 2-31) by two wickets