Wolvaardt record ton gives Proteas unassailable series lead
Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen led the way for South Africa with a century and a five-wicket haul in the third T20I against Zimbabwe.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s record-equalling ton helped South Africa cruise past Zimbabwe in the third T20I, securing a convincing victory and an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Laura Wolvaardt's ton and Annerie Dercksen's maiden five-for gives South Africa an unassailable lead in the T20I series against Zimbabwe 🙌
— ICC (@ICC) September 15, 2026
📝: https://t.co/sXUZPqjuDb | 📸: @ProteasWomenCSA pic.twitter.com/Ll1Fqd1h3A
Wolvaardt brought up her fourth T20I century, taking her overall international hundred tally to 18 and drawing level with India’s Smriti Mandhana for the most hundreds in women’s cricket.
The South Africa skipper smashed an unbeaten 126 off just 62 balls, surpassing her previous T20I best of 115* against Ireland in December last year. Her blistering innings came at a strike rate of 203.22 and included sixteen fours and four sixes. Wolvaardt was declared the Player of the Match for her effort, which got the Proteas to 200/1 at the mid-game mark.
Wolvaardt also surpassed Shandre Fritz’s unbeaten 116, scored against the Netherlands in 2010, to register the highest individual T20I score by a South African woman.
Wolvaardt’s blistering knock was well supported by Karabo Meso, who brought up a half-century of her own. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 50 off 51 balls, with her innings including five fours and a six.
Zimbabwe were put under early pressure in the chase, with some brilliant bowling from South Africa reducing the hosts to 29/4 at the end of the powerplay. Further wickets in the seventh and eighth overs saw Zimbabwe slip to 35/6.
Leading the way for the Proteas was all-rounder Annerie Dercksen, who secured a maiden five-for (5/15) in her spell during the game.
Most centuries in Women's Internationals
| Name | Hundreds |
| Smriti Mandhana | 18 |
| Laura Wolvaardt | 18 |
| Meg Lanning | 17 |
| Hayley Matthews | 15 |
| Suzie Bates | 14 |
| Tammy Beaumont | 14 |
Eventually, South Africa bowled Zimbabwe out for 120 to secure a comprehensive 80-run victory.
Michelle Mavunga top-scored for Zimbabwe with a quickfire 41 off 23 balls, while Nyasha Gwanzura (28), Christine Mutasa (19) and Loryn Phiri (14) made handy contributions.
Apart from Dercksen's heroics, Eliz-Mari Marx, Seshnie Naidu, Luyanda Nzuza and Ayanda Hlubi picked up a wicket apiece for South Africa.
In the opening game of the series, South Africa cruised to victory after a superb bowling effort saw them bowl Zimbabwe out for 116. The tourists then chased down the target comfortably in just 13.1 overs.
South Africa continued the strong form in the second T20I, securing a 64-run victory. After posting 193/6, they restricted Zimbabwe to 129/7 to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
The fourth game of the series will take place on 17 September.