The Momentum Proteas sit at the summit of Group B after their 80-run victory against Scotland. South Africa went in to bat first and posted a score of 166/5 after 20 overs and in return restricted the Scots to 86 all out after 17.5 overs.

Captain Laura Wolvaartdt highlighted that the players understood the importance of winning this match and spoke about it pre – match. It was important for the team to come our victorious and restore team morale after losing against England a few days ago.

“Games like today are always tricky, we knew we had to be at our best. There was nothing for the pace bowlers. It felt like there was more movement and swing in the first two matches we played,” said Marizanne Kapp speaking on the game and the conditions of the pitch.

Wolvaardt and fellow opener, Tasmin Brits shared an opening partnership of 64, with 60 of those coming in the power play. This is currently a record for this year’s competition. South Africa’s total of 166/5 was the highest of the tournament – India made sure that this record did not last long as they quickly broke it a few hours later. Wolvaardt felt that had they played slightly better, they could have easily recorded 180.

Kapp scored 43 runs off just 24 balls, and she showed off more innovation than normal, producing some excellent sweeps along the way. Brits also scored 43, while Wolvaardt made 40, in what was an efficient batting performance against a team that didn’t have the weapons to cause South Africa much stress nor was their fielding much good either.

Kapp described the pitch as the slowest they have played on in the tournament thus far, which somehow explains some of the dismissals when South Africa was looking to increase the scoring rate in the second half of their innings.

Sune Luus, off her own bowling and Nonkululeko Mlaba to finish the match, claimed a couple of excellent diving catches while Wolvaardt set an example she hopes her teammates will follow for the rest of the tournament, with a stunning stop on the boundary which prevented a four, even with her team well on top.

South Africa will play their last group match on Saturday when they take on Bangladesh on Saturday, in Dubai