Tazmin Brits, pictured, and Sune Luus are turning up the heat in the powerplay as South Africa Women hunt for that elusive World Cup trophy. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Proteas Women's top-order batter Tazmin Brits reiterated that the team is making the necessary adjustments to inject power and urgency in their first powerplay strategy, as the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup looms large.
The South African Women slipped to 19/2 in the first powerplay of the series opener in New Zealand on Sunday, a feat that led to their loss.
The team would bounce back with a convincing victory in the second T20I, courtesy of a brilliant 49-run stand in the first powerplay between opening batters Brits and Sune Luus. The pair would go on to put together 62 inside the opening seven overs, setting a solid foundation for the rest of the batting order.
The Proteas Women have made some tweaks in their T20I batting order, dropping captain Laura Wolvaardt from opening the batting to No 3, while promoting Luus to opener. Under batting coach Baakier Abrahams, the Proteas Women have also made a conscious decision to get on with the program and start looking to score big in the first powerplay, as the game demands.
Brits admitted to the changes in mindset and intention under Abrahams and argued that they would need time to get the new formula right as the World Cup looms large.
"After that game (the first T20I), we regrouped a bit, and we had a bit of analysis to see what we were doing right and wrong. I think we actually managed to do that, (and) had a better powerplay as well," said Brits.
"We were able to get the team to a really good start with the 50-odd stand. We are very happy ...
"We tried to change everything up ... I'm glad (Luus) and I actually got that powerplay going."
Brits added: "I'm trying to be as patient as possible.
"We are working on a few things. The coach is expecting something different from me, so with that comes a bit of failure until, of course, it clicks. I'm just trying to do that to benefit the team at the end of the day."
Given that the squad already have a power-packed middle-to-lower-order with the likes of Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, and Nadine de Klerk, the Proteas Women will be an even scarier outfit should the top-order manage to come out guns blazing consistently.
With the victory in the second T20I match in Hamilton earlier this week, South Africa Women have drawn the series 1-1. The next three games — the first of which is on Friday (starts 3.45am) — will give the squad time to continue putting their strategies to the test.
And given that they are set to host India Women in April, the side will have ample time to hone their skill set as they aim to win the country's first-ever World Cup trophy in the UK this winter.