South Africa resurrected their T20 World Cup hopes with a thrashing 65-run win over New Zealand in Paarl.
Both teams were defeated in their first match and knew that a second consecutive defeat would effectively end their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
South Africa reached 132-6 in 20 overs, aided by Chloe Tryon’s brave 40 from 34 balls.
In response, the White Ferns batting line-up crumbled, being bowled out for 67 in the 19th over.
Nonkululeko Mlaba took 3-10 for South Africa, with only three New Zealand players reaching double figures.
A second consecutive heavy defeat drops New Zealand to the bottom of Group 1 with a poor net run-rate, meaning they must beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh by huge margins in their remaining matches to have any chance of reaching the last four.
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The hosts made a poor start after winning the toss and electing to bat, losing opener Tazmin Brits for one off the bowling of Eden Carson in the first over.
Lea Tahuhu then took crucial wickets of Laura Wolvaardt for 13 and Marizanne Kapp for nine, either side of skipper Sane Luus being run out for 22, leaving the Proteas reeling at 55-4.
However, a tenacious 47-run sixth-wicket stand between Tyron and Nadine de Klerk, who scored 28 not out from 26 balls, lifted them to a competitive score.
New Zealand lost opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout for a duck off the first ball of their response and never recovered, with wickets falling frequently and cheaply.
Captain Sophie Devine, who usually opens but was dropped to number five, top-scored with 16, and her dismissal ended New Zealand’s faint hopes of victory.
On Friday, New Zealand will face Bangladesh at Newlands in Cape Town. The following day, South Africa will face holders Australia in Gqeberha.
‘It’s embarrassing,’ New Zealand captain Sophie Devine says “First and foremost, credit must be given to South Africa. They totally outplayed us. To be honest, it’s humiliating.
“We’ve worked hard behind the scenes, and to come out and perform like that twice in a row is simply not good enough in international cricket.
“It was a competitive score, but we always believe that we can beat any score. We’re going to have some hard conversations and some hard looks in the mirror.”
Sune Luus, captain of South Africa: “The spinners did an outstanding job. The seamers assisted them as well and completed the job. The entire team delivered an outstanding bowling performance.
“What a legend, Chloe Tryon. It was brilliant of her to return tonight and demonstrate her class.”