South Africa women’s cricket captain Laura Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten 126 off 62 balls to power her team to an 80-run victory against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on 15 September 2026. The win in the third T20 International gives South Africa a 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Wolvaardt reached her 18th international century during the match, equalling the world record that India’s Smriti Mandhana currently holds for the most centuries in women’s international cricket. South Africa set a target of 200/1 after batting first and subsequently bowled Zimbabwe out for 120 runs in the second innings.
Wolvaardt Rewrites the Record Books
Laura Wolvaardt hit 16 fours and four sixes during her unbeaten knock of 126 runs. She maintained a strike rate of 203.22. Her brilliant performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
The 27-year-old captain broke two major South African batting records with this performance. She surpassed her previous personal T20I highest score of 115 not out, which she scored against Ireland in December last year. She also claimed the record for the highest individual T20I score by a South African woman. She broke the previous national record of 116 not out, which Shandre Fritz established against the Netherlands in 2010.
SUGGESTED READ: Shabnim Ismail’s Three-Wicket Haul Helps Guyana Amazon Warriors Beat TKR by 25 Runs
World Record for International Centuries
Wolvaardt’s century in Bulawayo marked her fourth hundred in T20 International cricket. This marks her 18 international centuries across all formats. This achievement places Wolvaardt alongside India’s Smriti Mandhana at the top of the all-time list for most international hundreds in women’s cricket. Both players now share the world record with 18 international centuries each.
The achievement places Wolvaardt ahead of several legendary figures in women’s cricket. Australia’s former captain Meg Lanning occupies third place on the list with 17 international centuries. Hayley Matthews of the West Indies follows in fourth position with 15 international hundreds. Suzie Bates of New Zealand and Tammy Beaumont of England share fifth place on the global standings, with each player possessing 14 international centuries.
ALSO READ: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana Power India to Eighth Women’s Asia Cup Title
South Africa Post Formidable Total and Zimbabwe’s Chase
South Africa chose to bat first and built a massive score of 200/1 in their allotted 20 overs. Wolvaardt received strong support at the crease from wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso. They scored an unbroken partnership that carried South Africa to the 200-run mark.
In a post-match interview, Wolvaardt reflects on a dominant performance in Bulawayo as they sealed the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The skipper stated that it was a tough innings, but she found her swing again. Also, she said the match result boosts her confidence moving forward.
Meso compiled her maiden international half-century during the partnership. She scored an unbeaten 50 runs off 51 deliveries. Her solid innings featured five fours and one six as she provided stability while Wolvaardt attacked the Zimbabwe bowlers from the other end. The two batters ensured that South Africa lost only one wicket during their entire 20 overs.
Zimbabwe batter Michelle Mavunga top-scored for the home side with an aggressive knock. She scored 41 runs off just 23 deliveries before the South African bowlers ended her innings.
Nyasha Gwanzura provided the second-highest contribution for Zimbabwe by scoring 28 runs. Lower-order batters Christine Mutasa and Loryn Phiri added 19 runs and 14 runs respectively. However, these contributions could not rescue Zimbabwe from the early damage, and South Africa dismissed the home team for 120 runs.
For more Sports news, updates, and match highlights, follow JeetWin Sports
