Mayan Smith registered her first century in the T20I match, scoring an aggressive 102 runs off just 59 balls. This contribution allowed the Proteas Women team to reach a total of 205/4, securing their fourth consecutive confident victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Consequently, the five-match series concluded with a 4-0 result, despite one match still remaining on the schedule.
Smith's individual performance, which involved 15 fours and one six at a rate of around 173, formed the foundation for a score that seemed unattainable for Zimbabwe. She began her contribution by adding 74 runs with Anneke Bosch, who continued her good run by scoring 33 runs off 24 balls. Smith then formed two more quick partnerships: 62 runs with Anneri Derksen in the second innings and 32 runs with Kayla Reineke in the third.
The partnership with Derksen yielded 33 runs at a rate better than two runs per ball, while Reineke contributed 18 runs, ensuring that South Africa never allowed the game to slow down, constantly increasing the pace. Smith was dismissed shortly before the end of the match by Nomvelo Sibanda, having only two balls left in the innings, but by that point, the total score was already too high for Zimbabwe.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt batted at an unusual sixth position. The Zimbabwean bowlers, including Nyasha Gwanguru, Francisca Chipare, and Lorin Phiri, were unable to offer adequate resistance, although Sibanda and Mavunga managed to slightly slow the pace at certain moments.
In response, Zimbabwe failed to create any threat to the chase. Caitlin Wingard hit powerfully twice off the new bowling, removing Lorraine Pemhivu and later Michelle Mavunga. Elise-Marie Marx and Loyanda Nzuza also assisted, each taking one wicket. These early successes caused the home side to lag behind the chase from the start.
The favourite Biza was the backbone of the chase, scoring the most runs—32 off 33 balls—before being dismissed by Reineke. Mavunga briefly created a threat, scoring a quick 25 runs off 13 balls, including the only six in the Zimbabwean innings. Captain Josephine Nkomo held one end, scoring 26 runs without getting out, but the required rate had long since gone out of reach, and Zimbabwe finished the game at 125/5, trailing by 81 runs.
Among the South African bowlers, Derksen performed best, conceding only 11 runs in three overs, and Wingard's performance of 2/15 highlighted the effect of her initial onslaught. This result reinforced South Africa's dominance during its first tour of Zimbabwe, bringing the number of victories to four out of four. Both teams will meet again in the fifth and final T20I to conclude the series.
