The Proteas lost a high-scoring Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against England in Stellenbosch on Monday.
England may have put the world on notice after plundering 246, but South Africa made a statement of their own by only falling short by 17 runs in a strong reply.
The tournament hosts travelled well over 10 an over in their chase, but ran out of steam after the loss of Chloe Tryon and Tazmin Brits as the required rate moved above 15 an over. Tryon’s 65 off 23 balls was the top score for the Proteas.
Earlier, Sophia Dunkley belted 59 from just 19 balls, with nine fours and three sixes, before quickfire fifties from Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Dunkley began the innings with a boundary off Shabnim Ismail, making seven of the eight runs in the opening over, and only accelerating in as the powerplay went on.
Ismail eventually beat the opener for the first wicket, though the early blitz helped England to a score of 79-1 in the first six overs.
The Proteas were given no respite even after the fielding restrictions were lifted, as the trio of half-century makers and Maia Bouchier kept the foot down.
