The New Zealand White Ferns won against South Africa by 66 runs on Saturday, April 4, 2026. This victory at the Basin Reserve in Wellington secured a 2-1 win in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series for the hosts.
Maddy Green led the New Zealand team with a career-best 141 not out. Meanwhile, Rosemary Mair took her first international five-wicket haul to disrupt the South African chase. New Zealand made 306 runs by giving 7 wickets before bowling out South Africa for just 240 runs in 46.1 overs.
White Ferns vs South Africa Match Highlights
| Date | April 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Basin Reserve in Wellington |
| Toss | South Africa chose to bowl first |
| NZ Innings Score | 306/7 (50 overs) |
| SA Innings Score | 240 (46.1) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 66 runs |
| Best Batter | Maddy Green – 141 (128 balls)* |
| Best Bowler | Rosemary Mair – 5/50 (9.1 overs) |
New Zealand Recovers From Early Batting Collapse
The White Ferns faced immediate trouble after South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. The hosts lost three wickets for just three runs within the first four overs. Suzie Bates fell for a duck, Georgia Plimmer scored only one, and captain Amelia Kerr departed for a golden duck. Consequently, the South African bowlers, Ayanda Hlubi and Tumi Sekhukhune, appeared to have total control of the match early on.
However, Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday staged a historic recovery for the fourth wicket. The duo shared a 211-run partnership, which set a new record for New Zealand’s highest fourth-wicket stand in Women’s ODIs. They surpassed the previous record of 172 runs held by Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr. This massive partnership shifted the momentum entirely back to the White Ferns.
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Maddy Green’s Career-Best Century
New Zealand’s star batter, Maddy Green, played a crucial match-winning game making 141 runs not out from 128 balls. She hit 15 boundaries during her innings with a strike rate of above 110. This is her highest run made in ODIs and her third century in the format.
Meanwhile, Brooke Halliday provided excellent support before falling just short of a personal milestone. She scored 98 runs off 124 balls, including 13 fours. Nadine de Klerk eventually dismissed her in the 40th over when the score reached 214. Despite missing her century by two runs, Halliday’s contribution proved vital in rebuilding the innings.
Rosemary Mair Leads the Bowling Attack
South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt led the chase making 69 off 68 balls. She formed a strong partnership with Annerie Dercksen who added 47 runs to the tally. Together, they kept South Africa in the contest during the middle overs. Nevertheless, the South African batting lineup collapsed once New Zealand broke this key partnership.
Rosemary Mair delivered a sensational spell to break the backbone of the South African chase. She took five wickets for 50 runs in 9.1 overs. This performance marked her maiden five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. Mair consistently removed batters just as South Africa tried to build momentum. As a result, South Africa lost their final eight wickets for only 95 runs.
Other New Zealand bowlers also contributed to the victory. Amelia Kerr supported Mair by taking 2/37 in her 10 overs. Meanwhile, Nensi Patel, Kayley Knight, and Jess Kerr, each took one wicket. South Africa could not reach the target as they were eventually bowled out for 240 in 46.1 overs.
Impact on ICC Women’s Championship Standings
New Zealand received crucial points for the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-2029. The White Ferns now sit at the top of the points table with 10 points from six matches. On the other hand, South Africa holds third place with six points that’s important for automatic qualification for the next ICC Women’s World Cup.
Furthermore, the victory marks a successful home summer for the New Zealand women’s team. They previously defeated South Africa 4-1 in the T20I series earlier in the tour. During a conference, Maddy Green mentioned that beating a giant like South Africa in two series gives them confidence moving into the T20 World Cup later this year.
In conclusion, the third ODI at the Basin Reserve ensures that the White Ferns move confidently to international tournaments. South Africa had won the first match in a tense final-ball finish, but New Zealand leveled the series in the second game with a record-breaking chase of 347. Captain Amelia Kerr had scored 179 not out in that second match to keep the series alive. However, the final match belonged to Green and Mair.
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