South African women’s cricket continues to ride a wave of transformation and ambition, an evolution fuelled by athletes steadfast in their pursuit of greatness. At the heart of this movement stands Tazmin Brits, who, at 34, has authored another glowing chapter in her career.
On a sunlit afternoon at the historic Three Ws Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Brits became only the second-fastest South African woman, after skipper Laura Wolvaardt (27 Innings), to scale the 1,000-run summit in One Day Internationals, doing so in just 35 innings. Her journey is one of resilience, late blooming, and a dedication to the Proteas cause that deserves deeper celebration.
Arriving in the Caribbean for a high-profile three-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series against the West Indies, the South African squad, under the tactical acumen of skipper Laura Wolvaardt, looked to set their tone for the white-ball series. For Brits, 37 runs separated her from a special landmark; the stage could not have been more fitting. The West Indian captain, Hayley Matthews, opted to bowl first, perhaps sensing early movement or nerves. Instead, she witnessed a master class in composure and application from the Proteas openers.
Brits strode out to the middle with Wolvaardt, forging a rock-solid 72-run stand that blunted the West Indian new-ball bowlers and silenced the home crowd. The partnership, a showcase of intent and mutual trust, was broken only in the 16th over when Wolvaardt was run out for 27. By then, Brits was already on the cusp of her milestone.
On the second ball of the 16th over, bowled fittingly by the West Indies skipper, Brits nudged a single, quietly yet profoundly inscribing her name in the annals of South African cricket. The 1,000-run mark isn’t just a statistic; it’s a testament to staying power, consistency, and adaptability, especially in a format that relentlessly tests an opener’s mettle.
Brits continued to push on, displaying her trademark blend of power and placement, before eventually falling for a well-crafted 57 off 65 balls (5×4, 1×6) in the 22nd over, her wicket the third to fall, courtesy of Karishma Ramharack. By the end of her innings, she had scaled 1,020 ODI runs at a strike rate of 73.81 and an average of 29.14, with three fifties and two centuries under her belt in the ODI format.
To reach 1,000 runs in just 35 innings is to underline a rare blend of consistency and flair. Only one South African woman, which was none other than the skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, has reached the four-figure mark faster, placing Brits in elite company and affirming the impact she has had since making her ODI debut against Pakistan in January 2021.
Her journey hasn’t been conventional. Brits’ international career began in her thirties, challenging the norm, and proving that excellence ignores birth dates. Her steady rise is also symbolic of South African women’s cricket’s depth and its growing culture of perseverance and self-belief.
Tazmin Brits brings more than just numbers to the South African side. She is an embodiment of professionalism and tenacity, traits that have allowed her to anchor and accelerate as the situation demands. Whether weathering the new ball challenges or launching the counterattack, Tazmin Brits’ presence provides invaluable stability at the top, something any ODI team craves.
Her partnership with Laura Wolvaardt is now the cornerstone of South Africa’s batting in limited-overs cricket. To see her reach this milestone while forging yet another crucial opening stand speaks volumes about her value to the team.
With the West Indies tour just underway and a crucial T20I series to follow, Brits’ achievement will serve as both a source of inspiration and a benchmark for the next generation of South African cricketers. Her story reminds us that milestones are not merely markers of personal acclaim but also collective aspiration, driving a team forward toward greater heights.
