Sophie Devine’s Masterclass Seals the Deal! White Ferns Crush Proteas to Take 2-1 Lead
By Crick tv
Updated: Mar 21, 2026 11:10 AM
What a game, what a chase! If you missed the 3rd T20I between New Zealand Women and South Africa Women at Eden Park, you missed an absolute thriller. The White Ferns bounced back hard, taking down the Proteas by 6 wickets and grabbing a crucial 2-1 lead in the 5-match series.
Let’s break down exactly how this high-stakes clash unfolded.
The Sophie Devine Show
Let’s just take a moment to talk about Sophie Devine. When the pressure was on, she stood tall and completely flipped the script. Chasing 150, New Zealand needed a steady hand, and Devine delivered a brilliant, unbeaten 55 off just 38 deliveries (smashing 6 fours and a massive six).
But she didn't do it entirely alone. Captain Amelia Kerr chipped in with a solid 30 off 28 balls, and Maddy Green played the perfect finisher role, blasting 34 not out off just 25 balls. Together, they made a tricky run chase look like a walk in the park, wrapping things up in 18.4 overs.
South Africa’s Rocky Start & Late Surge
Earlier in the day, South Africa won the toss and opted to put runs on the board. But things didn’t exactly go according to plan. The Proteas found themselves under the pump early, reeling at 9/2.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt tried to anchor the ship with a hard-fought 37 off 39 balls, building a crucial 51-run partnership with Annerie Dercksen (27 off 18). Just when South Africa looked like they were getting back into rhythm, the New Zealand bowlers struck back.
Cue Sophie Devine again. Not only did she dominate with the bat, but she also tore through the Proteas' middle order, bagging 2 wickets for just 21 runs. Suzie Bates kept things incredibly tight too, finishing with 2/10 in her two overs.
If it wasn’t for an explosive late-innings cameo by Kayla Reyneke—who smashed an unbeaten 34 off just 20 balls at a strike rate of 170—South Africa wouldn't have even reached their fighting total of 149/7.
What’s Next?
With New Zealand now leading 2-1, all eyes are locked on the 4th T20I in Wellington. Can South Africa bounce back and force a series decider, or will the White Ferns close it out on home soil?
Drop your predictions in the comments below! Who was your MVP of the match, and which player scored you the most fantasy points today? Let’s discuss! 👇