At one point, South Africa were on track to inflict Australia Women’s heaviest defeat in ODI history. Though Australia avoided that ignominy, the 84-run margin of defeat was still their largest since 2004.

South Africa have already enjoyed a historic tour of Australia, securing a maiden victory over the Aussies in the T20I leg of the series. They lost the first ODI heavily, a rapid fifty from Beth Mooney gunning down 106 by eight wickets with more than 30 overs to spare. And when they lost Laura Wolvaardt for a duck in the first over of the second ODI, a repeat looked on the cards.

Instead, South Africa rallied, and Marizanne Kapp was the star. Batters two to seven reached double figures, with Kapp the only one to go past 50. Her 87-ball 75 underpinned the tourists’ effort, with Anneke Bosch contributing 44 at nearly a run a ball and Chloe Tryon hitting an unbeaten 37 off 36 to close out the innings.

South Africa put up 229-6, with Australia’s target adjusted to 234 due to a rain delay during the first innings.

In reply, Australia collapsed, and again Kapp did the damage. She dismissed each of the top three in a sizzling opening burst, with the highlight a vicious inswinger to Mooney that took out middle stump. South Africa’s change bowlers carried on Kapp’s good work, and at 71-8, it looked as if a truly monumental result was on the cards. Australia have never lost a women’s ODI by more than 100 runs. For a time, that record was in danger.

PROTEAS WOMEN LEVEL SERIES 💪

A perfect win after a perfect performance from the Proteas Women to level matters against Australia in Sydney 🇿🇦🇦🇺

Marizanne Kapp named the Player Of The Match 👏 #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #AUSWvSAW pic.twitter.com/JwJ79oTWxA

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) February 7, 2024

As it was, Kim Garth – Player of the Match in the first ODI – joined forces with Ash Gardner to spark hopes of a comeback. The pair put on 77, doubling Australia’s score during their stand. They surpassed by four runs the previous world record for the highest ninth-wicket stand in women’s ODIs, put on by England’s Lynsey Askew and Isa Guha against New Zealand at Chennai in 2007.

The medium pace of Elzi-mari Marz found the breakthrough when Gardner edged behind. Tryon finished off proceedings in the next over. The series is level at 1-1 heading into the final ODI, also to be played at the North Sydney Oval on February 10. The tour will conclude with a four-day Test, which will be played at Perth from February 15.