Reyneke’s last-ball six seals Proteas’ dramatic win over NZ

Proteas Women celebrate a victory

The South African women’s cricket team pulled off a dramatic 2-wicket victory against New Zealand in Christchurch thanks to an almost perfect blend of youth and experience.

In the opening One Day International, the home side batted first and 33-year-old pace bowler, Ayabonga Khaka, delivered a career best performance to restrict them to 268, and then a last-ball six from 20-year-old Kayla Reyneke sealed the victory for the Proteas.

The Proteas asked the homeside to bat first after winning the toss. The visitors were outstanding in the field and managed to keep the dangerous New Zealand batting line-up in check from the start. Maddy Green was the only New Zealand batter who managed to get the better of the bowlers, and she scored 85 runs from 83 balls.

Her effort gave the homeside a solid foundation, but Khaka prevented New Zealand from taking full advantage of it. She took 6 wickets for the first time in an ODI, including 3 in the last over. The Proteas were in trouble early on in their chase when Tazmin Brits was out in the first over, while captain Laura Wolvaardt departed for 16.

Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus took the score from 30 for 2 to 153, and while they were in, it looked like smooth sailing. Derckson top-scored with 72, and Luus got 53. Their wickets gave New Zealand hope, and the required run rate increased after that.

Reyneke kept calm and, in her debut ODI, scored 42 not out. The Proteas needed 6 runs from the final ball, and Reyneke delivered.

Remember The Name! 😁

A Player of the Match performance on T20I debut, followed up in the same fashion on ODI debut. 🇿🇦

Kayla Reyneke is writing her own history on the international stage. 💥#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/3ZYEHtUoGx

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) March 29, 2026