The Proteas got their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign back on track with a 65-run win against New Zealand in Paarl on Monday.

Chloé Tryon made 40 as South Africa struggled to 132-6 in their 20 overs after choosing to bat on a pitch that was being used for the fourth successive match.

It proved to be more than enough as New Zealand were bowled out for 67.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba struck twice in the first three overs of New Zealand’s innings and the White Ferns were unable to recover.

HIGHLIGHTS: Proteas vs New Zealand

It was effectively a must-win game for both teams after they both lost in their opening games.

Mlaba finished with 3-10 in her four overs – her best figures in T20Is.

But all the bowlers applied pressure on the New Zealand batters. Tryon took 2-12 with her left-arm spinners, including the wicket of New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine for 16.

READ: Kapp, Ismail hit Women’s Premier League jackpot

Tryon and Nadine de Klerk (28*) shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 47 after South Africa’s top-order batting failed for the second successive match.

Off-spinner Eden Carson dismissed Tazmin Brits in the first over and finished with 2-23 while fast bowler Lea Tahuhu took 2-27, including the key wicket of Laura Wolvaardt, who was bowled when she swung across the line after scoring 13.

But New Zealand’s batting failed again, even more completely than when they were bowled out for 76 by Australia at the same venue on Saturday.

© Agence France-Presse