Tazmin Brits struck a brilliant century as South Africa stormed to a statement victory over New Zealand at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, reigniting their campaign after an opening defeat to England.

Chasing 232 in Indore, the Proteas reached their target in just 40.5 overs, with Brits’s 101 off 89 balls, her fifth hundred of the year, setting the tone for a dominant all-round performance. The win restored belief in a team determined to go deep in the tournament.

Reflecting on her form, Brits said: “Nothing very different. I've just tried to expand my shot selection a bit more, and I've been working very hard on that.” She admitted that the earlier loss to England: “didn't sit well” with her. “I didn't even want to eat that night, and I overthought the process completely. But yeah, we put that in the past as quick as possible, and we said, we've got to move on to the next game.”

Assessing the conditions, Brits said: “I think it was a batting wicket. So, I think they were actually a bit short of runs. I definitely think maybe a 280 would have worked…I think our bowlers executed very, very well. I think they bowled great line and lengths and they put the pressure on.”

New Zealand’s Brooke Halliday conceded her side: “probably overpitched a little bit, which made it a little bit easy for the South Africans to actually get in,” adding that the team will: “review today's game and look into the next one against Bangladesh…two games down, but there are still five games to go.”

The eight-team tournament is a round-robin format in which each team plays the other. To qualify for the semi-finals teams must finish in the top four.

Currently South Africa is fifth on the log, New Zealand seventh, with India top.

South Africa’s next match is on Thursday against hosts, India.