Kayla Reyneke Steals the Show on Debut as Proteas Women Edge Pakistan in Potchefstroom
Kayla Reyneke enjoyed a dream debut with bat and ball as the Proteas Women secured a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first T20 International (T20I) at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom in the North West Province, on Tuesday, 10 February, 2026.
The win handed the hosts a 1–0 series lead with two matches remaining.
Reyneke produced the best bowling figures by a Proteas Women debutant, returning 2/13 in her four overs to help restrict Pakistan to 180/9, despite a career-best knock of 90 off 41 balls from Fatima Sana.
The 20-year-old then capped off a memorable debut by striking three sixes in a match-winning, unbeaten 29 off 16 deliveries, as the Proteas completed a tense, high-scoring chase off the final ball of the match.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt played a crucial anchoring role, top-scoring with a 38-ball 61, which included eight fours and one six.
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, the Proteas Women made early inroads into the Pakistan top order. Reyneke claimed her maiden international wicket when she bowled Gull Feroza (13), before Ayanda Hlubi (3/41) struck twice in two balls to leave the visitors 46/3 inside the powerplay.
With Natalia Pervaiz (20) and Muneeba Ali (16) looking to rebuild, Reyneke struck again to remove Pervaiz, before Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/40) joined the wicket-taking party by dismissing Ali and Aliya Riaz (0), reducing Pakistan to 64/6 after 10 overs.
A crucial half-century stand between Umm-e-Hani and Sana helped Pakistan recover, bringing up the three-figure mark as they reached 103/6 at the end of the 15th over. Sana then launched an onslaught to bring up her fifty, taking her side to 143/7 after 17 overs following the dismissal of Umm-e-Hani off Hlubi’s bowling.
Despite losing her partner, Sana continued to take the game to the Proteas, finding the boundary regularly before falling off the final ball of the innings as Pakistan posted a competitive 180/9 from their 20 overs.
In reply, the Proteas Women made a steady start through Tazmin Brits (16) and Suné Luus (32), who added 25 runs for the first wicket before Brits was dismissed off the bowling of Humna Bilal.
Luus then found a more than capable partner in skipper Wolvaardt, with the pair guiding the hosts to 54/1 after six overs and racing to a 50-run stand for the second wicket. Despite Luus falling to Nashra Sandhu (2/27), the Proteas maintained the momentum, moving to 102/2 after 10 overs with Wolvaardt and Dané van Niekerk (16) at the crease.
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Still requiring 79 runs from 60 balls, Wolvaardt went on to register her 12th career half-century, sharing a 46-run partnership with Van Niekerk, before the captain departed with the score on 133/3 in the 15th over.
That breakthrough sparked a brief collapse as Ayesha Zafar (1/24) and a run-out accounted for Van Niekerk and Lara Goodall (11), leaving the hosts on 147/5 at the end of the 16th over.
With the match heading towards a tense finish, Reyneke once again rose to the occasion, smashing the winning runs off the final ball. She combined with Annette Dercksen (9*) in an unbroken 38-run partnership to steer the Proteas Women over the line.
The second T20I will take place on Friday, 13 February, at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
Results and Fixtures – Proteas Women’s Inbound T20I Series against Pakistan
Tue 10 February: South Africa beat Pakistan by 5 wickets (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Friday, 13 February at 18:00 – 2nd T20I – South Africa vs Pakistan (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Monday, 16 February at 18:00 – 3rd T20I – South Africa vs Pakistan (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
South Africa Playing XI for the 1st T20I at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on on 10 February 2026
1. Tazmin Brits
2. Suné Luus
3. Laura Wolvaardt (C)
4. Dané van Niekerk
5. Lara Goodall
6. Annerie Dercksen
7. Kayla Reyneke (Debut)
8. Sinalo Jafta (Wk)
9. Ayanda Hlubi
10. Ayabonga Khaka
11. Nonkululeko Mlaba
Reserve Players
12. Marizanne Kapp
13. Nadine de Klerk
14. Masabata Klaas
15. Karabo Meso
Pakistan Women Playing XI
1. Muneeba Ali
2. Gull Feroza
3. Ayesha Zafar
4. Sidra Amin
5. Nataila Parvaiz
6. Aliya Riaz
7. Fatima Sana (C)
8. Umme Hani
9. Humna Bilal
10. Nashra Sandhu
11. Diana Baig
Reserve Players
12. Tuba Hassan
13. Eyman Fatima
14. Tasmia Rubab
15. Saira Jabeen
Main Photo Caption: Kayla Reyneke enjoyed a dream debut with bat and ball as the Proteas Women secured a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first T20 International (T20I) in Potchefstroom in the North West Province, on Tuesday, 10 February, 2026. All Photos: Cricket South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Coming in after the fall of Tazmin Brits, Wolvaardt went on to register her 12th career half-century, sharing a 46-run partnership with Dané van Niekerk.
Crédito: Link de origem