Proteas Women bounce back to secure first victory at ICC Women's World Cup

After a rather a embarrassing performance in their tournament opener against England where they were bowled out for just 69, the Proteas were determined to put up a stronger showing.

It was the Black Ferns that won the toss and opted to bat, but were restricted to 231 all out before the Proteas reached the target with more than nine overs remaining.

In a game filled with milestones, Marizanne Kapp (1-34) became the Proteas Women's most-capped player in ODIs, dismissed Kiwi opener Suzie Bates, on her 350th international appearance, for a first-ball duck.

New Zealand still got off to a good start with the willow as they were 187-3 after 38 overs led by their captain Sophie Devine, who scored 85 off 98 deliveries.

The Proteas though fought back, with Mlaba the catalyst as the Black Ferns lost their next seven wickets for just 44 runs as the left-arm spinner finished with figures of 4-40 in her 10 overs, including the crucial scalp of Devine.

What would have pleased the Proteas coaching staff id the fielding effort, the players throwing themselves to make crucial stops and taking some excellent catches.

The Proteas then lost skipper Laura Wolvaardt (14) early in the run-chase, lbw on review to seamer Jess Kerr, with Brits joined in the middle by Sune Luus.

The pair took the game away from the opposition with an outstanding 159-run partnership with Brits making history when she became the first woman to score five hundreds in the calendar year.

The opener reached her century off 87 balls and was eventually out for 101 as the Proteas looked to end the contest quickly to improve their net run-rate following the big defeat to England.

Kapp and Anneke Bosch also perished towards the end but Luus kept her composure and hit the winning runs to remain unbeaten on 83.

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