Laura Wolvaardt equals centuries record as Proteas Women thump Zimbabwe

Can we now call Laura Wolvaardt the greatest Proteas Women player of all-time?

The captain played a starring role in the 80-run win over Zimbabwe on 15 September in Bulawayo.

Here’s how Wolvaardt’s knock has helped her scale the T20I rankings and the list of most women’s cricket international tons.

How the match unfolded

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Wolvaardt and Miane Smit walked out to the crease.

Karabo Meso joined her captain in the middle after Smit was dismissed for just 8.

A handy run-a-ball 50 at the other end gave Wolvaardt the support she needed to hammer 126 runs from just 62 balls.

The Proteas Women ended their batting innings on 200/1, putting the hosts under pressure before facing a single ball.

In reply, Zimbabwe lost quick wickets and were never able to recover.

Opener Nyasha Gwanzura led with a fine 28 from 23, while Michelle Mavunga mustered 41 from 23.

However, it was all about Annerie Dercksen, who achieved a five-wicket haul and conceded only 15 runs, including a maiden.

A dominant all-round performance sealed the series for the Proteas Women with two games still to play.

Wolvaardt climbs T20I rankings, equals centuries record

As confirmed by the ICC on Instagram, the Proteas Women captain continues to dazzle on the world stage.

After the Zimbabwe win, she has equalled India’s Smriti Mandhana for the most centuries in women’s internationals.

Wolvaardt also maintained her third place in the official ICC women’s T20I batting rankings.

To those who have followed her journey, these milestones are nothing new.

The skipper is already the youngest South African player, male or female, to make an international century.

She was the third woman in history to score 100 across all three formats, according to ESPN Cricinfo.

Wolvaardt also holds the distinction of being the top scorer in two separate major ICC tournaments.

She was the top run-scorer of the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she became the first captain to score a century in the final.

AFTER EQUALLING THE CENTURIES RECORD, IS LAURA WOLVAARDT SOUTH AFRICA’S GREATEST?