Masabata Klaas took career-best figures of 4-21 as the Proteas beat the West Indies by 44 runs in their second match of the women’s T20I Tri-Series in East London on Saturday.
Klaas’ classy display helped restrict the Windies to 97-8 in their 20 overs after South Africa had posted 142-5 in testing batting conditions thanks to 52 off 43 balls from all-rounder Marizanne Kapp.
Top-order batters Laura Wolvaardt (25) and Kapp laid the ideal platform for the Proteas with a solid second-wicket stand of 31 before Wolvaardt joined opener Anneke Bosch (eight) back in the dugout.
Kapp continued to show her batting prowess as she combined to great effect with captain Suné Luus. The pair put on a vital 63-run partnership to help catapult the home side to 121-2 before Luus was run out for a 26-ball 30.
Kapp was then sent back to the change room and with South Africa on 125-4 in the 18th over, the incoming batters attempted to accelerate proceedings. The visitors had other plans, though, as disciplined bowling restricted the Proteas to 141- 5.
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West Indies captain Hayley Matthews (23) and Britney Cooper (15) made a measured start to the run chase, before Klaas made the breakthrough to remove Cooper with the penultimate ball of the powerplay.
South Africa then struck in quick succession as a run-out and two more wickets from the magical arm of Klaas left the visitors reeling on 43-4.
Tryon and Nonkululeko Mlaba joined the wicket-taking party to leave the West Indies on 67-6 in the 15th over.
South Africa pressed home their advantage to seal a confidence-boosting triumph and get off the mark in the triangular series that also features India.
The Proteas Women will be in action again on Wednesday against the West Indies.
