White Ferns captain Melie Kerr powers team past South Africa ahead of looming World Cup title defence

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

At Loughborough, England: South Africa 183-5 (Chloe Tryon 61 not out off 26; Sophie Devine 2-16) lost to New Zealand 184-5 from 19.4 overs (Melie Kerr 61 off 32, Georgia Plimmer 38 off 30) by five wickets.

Just call her captain fantastic.

Melie Kerr led the White Ferns to a thrilling victory over South Africa in their final warm-up match ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence in England and Wales.

Kerr struck 61 off just 32 balls, powering the White Ferns past South Africa’s total of 183-5 with two balls to spare.

Her knock featured nine fours and two of the half a dozen sixes the White Ferns plundered as they wrapped up their preparations for the looming tournament in style.

Opener Georgia Plimmer (38 off 30), Sophie Devine (28 off 13) and Brooke Halliday (21 off 19) also chipped in with valuable runs, before Maddy Green (19 not out off 13) guided the Kiwis home in the final over.

Earlier, classy batter Laura Wolvaardt set the tone with 43 from 27 for South Africa, before the White Ferns reduced them to 82-4 in the 13th over.

However, a barrage of power hitting from Chloe Tryon, who smoked 61 off just 26 balls, a knock that featured half a dozen sixes, propelled the Proteas to 183-5.

New Zealand’s title defence begins against the West Indies in Southampton on Sunday (NZT).