It was the debut that dreams are made of for the talented Proteas Women all-rounder, Kayla Reyneke, as she hit the winning runs with a six off the final ball to secure a 5-wicket victory for South Africa against Pakistan at the JB Marks Oval yesterday (Tuesday, February 10).

The 20-year old Reyneke made a match winning 29* (16 balls) hitting three sixes and one four in an innings that showcased maturity and calm under pressure. The Proteas Women, with a loud and proud Potch crowd spurring them on, managed to get over the line in this final ball thriller, chasing down Pakistan’s total of 180/9.

South Africa needed two runs from the final ball and Reyneke, a former SA u.19 captain, made it look easy with a six over long-off to send her team and the crowd into raptures. Her innings showed that she is ready for the big stage.

“It is a dream debut for me. This is a taste of how international cricket can be. I felt pressure, but I believe it is what you make of the moment. Cricket is simple when playing the ball on its merit,” added Reyneke.

See more photos of the match here:

Pakistan set the tone for this thrilling match largely due to an electric innings from their captain, Fatima Sana Khan. She scored an aggressive 90 (41 balls) with 7 sixes and 9 fours to her tally. This was her highest score for Pakistan in the T20 International format. It was especially timely considering that Pakistan were on 64/6 after 9.4 overs when she came in to bat. The next 10.2 overs was the Sana Khan show as the Proteas bowlers struggled to hit their lines and lengths and were duly punished. Reyneke (2/13) was entrusted with the ball early on and got her first international wicket in her first over, bowling Gull Feroza for 13. She was one of the top bowlers for the Proteas alongside Suné Luus who bowled economically for her 0/11 from 3 overs.

The Proteas Women batted well from the start thanks to Luus (32 from 20 balls) and captain Laura Wolvaardt (61 from 38 balls) hitting their straps early on. South Africa were well ahead of the run-rate, but the loss of Wolvaardt and Luus created a middle order slump.

Reyneke arrived with the Proteas needing 34 from 24 balls and under floodlit skies she shone her own talent for everyone to see. Together with Annerie Dercksen, the pair chipped away at the target, before the debutant finished off Pakistan with an uppercut in the form of a final ball six.

See photos of the fans and atmosphere here:

The Potch crowd was terrific and once again emphasised how much locals love cricket, especially when the Proteas come to play at the JB Marks Oval. Families, students, learners all enjoyed a festive atmosphere with horns blaring and trumpets from the brass band creating an unforgettable vibe.

This first T20 international in the three match series belongs to South Africa, thanks to Kayla Reyneke’s debut heroics that will live long in the memory. The next match between the two sides will take place in Benoni on Friday, February 13.