Manchester: Marisanne Cape backed up her economical bowling with an unbeaten half-century of 2/27 to power South Africa past India in the 18th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Chasing a tough target of 160 runs, a crucial third-wicket partnership between Tasmin Britts and Cup helped the Proteas clinch the winning runs with four wickets and five balls to spare.
South Africa, however, got off to a different start as captain Laura Wohlward (20) and top-order batsman Anneri Derksen (nil) fell to Sri Sarani for just 25 in the sixth over.
Following a back-and-forth, Cupp joined Brits in the middle and the duo anchored South Africa’s run chase with a 97-run partnership that culminated in the opener’s dismissal off the first delivery of the 17th over.
Brits departed after scoring 40 off 36 balls with the help of 2 fours and a six, with South Africa needing 37 more off 23 balls.
On the other hand, Cupp continued the onslaught of the Indian bowlers and eventually scored an unbeaten 81 off 45 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes off South Africa’s first delivery of the final over.
Sarani was India’s best bowler with 3 for 24 in her four overs, while Shabali Verma picked up a wicket.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Verma scored 31 as India posted 158/7 in 20 overs.
The Indian opener was the top run-scorer while Deepti Sharma (29) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (24) scored notable runs.
Shabnim Ismail and Cupp led South Africa’s bowling charge with two wickets each, while Nonkululego Malaba, Ayabongka Kaka and Nadine de Klerk claimed a scalp each.
Cape was named the man of the match award for her all-round performance as South Africa registered their second win of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.