South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt hit 126 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, matching the all-time record of 18 centuries in women’s international cricket.
The opening batter reached her fourth T20 international hundred in 54 deliveries at Queens Sports Club. The achievement ties the captain with India’s Smriti Mandhana at the top of the global standings. She now sits one clear of former Australia skipper Meg Lanning.
The 62-ball knock matched Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu’s benchmark of four format centuries by a full-member player. It also saw the skipper surpass 3000 runs in women’s T20 internationals, securing the landmark in 101 innings behind only Australia’s Beth Mooney.
Securing A Series Triumph
Wolvaardt dominated a 173-run unbroken partnership with Karabo Meso, who added a maiden half-century to guide the visitors to 200 for one. The commanding performance cements the captain’s legacy following her run-scoring consistency during the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
The milestone arrived as rival international setups continue to navigate forced squad adjustments in the format. Her relentless run-scoring, contrasting with veterans now finalising domestic franchise contracts, reinforces her status among the sport’s elite.
Annerie Dercksen then claimed five wickets for 15 runs as the hosts collapsed to 120 all out. The decisive 80-run victory seals the series ahead of Thursday’s fourth fixture.
