Dercksen strikes maiden ton to rescue faltering South Africa

Annerie Dercksen struck her maiden century in women’s ODIs to rescue South Africa from a middle-order collapse to reach a challenging 315 for nine wickets in their final round-robin match against Sri Lanka in the tri-series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.

Dercksen and Chloe Tryon added 112 in just 88 balls to take their team into profit after South Africa had been reduced to 127 for six in the 29th over. This was largely due to a devastating first spell from offspinner Dewmi Vihanga who claimed 5-13 in her first five overs playing just her third ODI for her country. She finished with 5-43 off nine overs.

Well though she bowled, South Africa would have been disappointed to give away a number of soft dismissals in the first half of their innings after Laura Wolvaardt (back in the team after recovering from food poisoning) and Tazmin Brits gave them a solid start after Sri Lanka had won the toss and inserted their opponents.

The pair put on 53 in the first power play and 68 in the 14th over before Vihanga struck, finding the edge of Brits’ bat as she pushed forward, offering a low chance to Hasini Perera at slip. Brits struck five fours in her 38.

A truly special moment — a maiden ODI century for Annerie Dercksen 🏏🔥.

What an outstanding innings, full of skill and composure! 👏#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/45nbyJtilJ

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) May 9, 2025

In her next over, Vihanga claimed the vital wicket of Wolvaardt, bowled through the gate to a casual defensive push for 33 in 39 balls.

Lara Goodall (2) and Miane Smit (8) both fell quickly, with the former caught at slip and the latter falling to a slog-sweep straight to midwicket. And when Sinalo Jafta missed an ugly slog to be bowled second ball, South Africa were in trouble on 85 for five. Quite why Jafta batted ahead of Dercksen and Tryon was a mystery. The wicketkeeper has played in 35 ODIs and averages just 11.7. Talented youngster Karabo Meso took her place at the start of the tournament, but was only given two matches.

Nondumiso Shangase got a start (18 in 34 balls) before falling leg before to Sri Lankan captain and offspinner Chamari Athapaththu to leave South Africa on a paltry 127 for six.

It was then that Dercksen and Tryon turned the innings around with a hugely impressive century stand. Tryon initially took a back seat as Dercksen, showing good power, technique and temperament, attacked the Sri Lankan bowlers.

The 24-year-old from Beaufort West has been the star for the South Africans in this tournament, scoring 30, 61* and 81 before reaching three figures today. In all, she struck nine fours and five sixes – the last of which enabled her to reach her century – before she fell bravely in the 44th over, holing out to long-off, largely through exhaustion on another steaming day in Colombo.

If Dercksen dominated the partnership with Tryon, scoring 77 to Tryon’s 30, the latter immediately put her foot down after Dercksen’s dismissal, accelerating to reach 74 in 51 balls (4x4s, 5x6s) as she and Nadine de Klerk (32* in 19 balls) blasted 66 off 30 balls for the eighth wicket to take South Africa past 300.

South Africa: Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Laura Goodall, Miane Smit, Nondumiso Shangase, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Seshnie Naidu, Ayabonga Khaka

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (capt.), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Manudi Nanayakkar, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Dewmini Vihanga, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando.