Tazmin Brits makes history, breaks Smriti Mandhana’s record with World Cup ton

New Delhi: South Africa's Tazmin Brits etched her name in the record books with a sensational knock against New Zealand in the 2025 Women's World Cup at Holkar Stadium, Indore. The 33-year-old right-hander smashed a fluent 101 off 89 balls, powering South Africa's chase in style. Her innings includes 15 boundaries and a six and it wasn't another hundred as it was history in the making.

With this century, Brits became the first batter ever to score five ODI hundreds in a single calendar year. She also surpassed India's Smriti Mandhana, who had set the benchmark with four centuries in both 2024 and 2025. The achievement also underlined Brits' consistency and dominance in the format this year, where she has often been South Africa's match-winner at the top.

It wasn't just the calendar-year record that fell as she also became the fastest batter to reach seven ODI centuries, doing so in only 41 innings, marking a remarkable feat that eclipsed the previous record held by former Australian skipper Meg Lanning. For comparison, England's Tammy Beaumont took 62 innings to get there while New Zealand great Suzie Bates needed 81.

After bringing up her ton with a trademark bow-and-arrow celebration, Brits was eventually bowled by Lea Tahuhu for 101. But by the time she walked back, South Africa were comfortably placed at 185/2 while chasing 232. Her partnership at the top had laid the perfect foundation, keeping Proteas ahead throughout the innings.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand's Sophie Devine marked her 300th international appearance. She achieved a milestone that speaks volumes about her longevity and impact. She delivered a remarkable performance as he led from the front with a composed 85 off 98 balls, striking nine boundaries on her way to her 17th ODI fifty. However, her knock wasn't enough to lift New Zealand to a match-winning total.

The credit for that goes to South Africa’s left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, who turned the game with a brilliant second spell. In the 39th over when Mlaba returned she triggered a collapse by taking 4 wickets for 40 runs, ensuring New Zealand lost their last five wickets for just 37 runs. Her timely strikes limited the Kiwis to 231- a total South Africa comfortably chased down.