Laura Wolvaardt equals Smriti Mandhana's record with 18th international hundred
Synopsis
Laura Wolvaardt's 126 not out off 62 balls wasn't just a match-winning knock — it was a history-making one. By equalling Smriti Mandhana's 18 international hundreds, the 27-year-old South African captain has pulled level with women's cricket's most prolific centurion, with potentially many years still to bat.
Key Takeaways
Laura Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten 126 off 62 balls (strike rate 203.22 ) against Zimbabwe on 15 September 2026 .
The innings was her 18th international hundred , equalling Smriti Mandhana's all-time women's record.
It is also the highest individual T20I score by a South African woman, surpassing Shandre Fritz's 116 from 2010.
South Africa sealed an unassailable 3-0 series lead with an 80-run win; the fourth T20I is on 17 September .
Annerie Dercksen claimed her maiden T20I five-wicket haul ( 5/15 ), bowling Zimbabwe out for 120 .
Karabo Meso supported Wolvaardt with an unbeaten 50 off 51 balls as South Africa posted 200/1 .
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt on 15 September 2026 blasted an unbeaten 126 off 62 balls in the third T20I against Zimbabwe, equalling Smriti Mandhana's record of 18 international hundreds — the most by any women's cricketer in history. The innings powered the Proteas women to an unassailable 3-0 series lead, with two matches still to play.
A Record-Breaking Innings
Wolvaardt's 126 not out came at a stunning strike rate of 203.22, laced with 16 fours and four sixes. The 27-year-old skipper surpassed her own previous T20I best of 115 not out, scored against Ireland in December last year. More significantly, she went past Shandre Fritz's unbeaten 116 against the Netherlands in 2010 to claim the highest individual T20I score by a South African woman. She was named Player of the Match as South Africa posted 200/1.
The Record That Places Her in Elite Company
The century was Wolvaardt's fourth hundred in T20I cricket and the 18th of her international career across all formats, drawing her level with India's Smriti Mandhana at the top of the all-time women's international century chart. Notably, Wolvaardt achieved this milestone at just 27, suggesting the record could yet be hers alone before long. Wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso provided able support, completing an unbeaten 50 off 51 balls at the other end.
Zimbabwe's Collapse and Dercksen's Five-Wicket Haul
Zimbabwe's chase never threatened. The hosts crashed to 29/4 inside the powerplay and slipped further to 35/6 after losing two more wickets in the following two overs. Annerie Dercksen then claimed her maiden T20I five-wicket haul — 5/15 — to complete Zimbabwe's collapse. The hosts were bowled out for 120, handing South Africa an 80-run victory. Michelle Mavunga offered brief resistance with a 23-ball 41, while Nyasha Gwanzura made 28. Christine Mutasa and Loryn Phiri contributed 19 and 14 respectively, but the damage was done. Eliz-Mari Marx, Seshnie Naidu, Luyanda Nzuza, and Ayanda Hlubi each took one wicket in support of Dercksen.
Series Dominance in Context
South Africa's series dominance has been emphatic from the outset. They won the opening T20I after bowling Zimbabwe out for 116 and chasing the target in 13.1 overs, then claimed the second match by 64 runs. This is the third successive comfortable victory, underscoring a significant gulf between the two sides at present. The fourth T20I is scheduled for 17 September.
What to Watch Next
With the series already sealed, the remaining two matches offer Wolvaardt further opportunity to break past Mandhana's record outright and cement her legacy as the most prolific centurion in women's cricket history. For Zimbabwe, the focus will be on arresting the slide and avoiding a whitewash.
Point of View
Which will temper some of the statistical shine — but the cumulative weight of 18 international hundreds across formats is undeniable. What makes this milestone striking is her age: at 27, she has the runway to leave Mandhana's mark behind entirely. Women's cricket has long lacked the obsessive century-counting culture that surrounds male equivalents; Wolvaardt's consistency may finally force that conversation. The deeper question is whether South Africa's women can translate individual brilliance into consistent ICC-event performances, where the real measure of a cricketing generation is ultimately made.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Laura Wolvaardt equal against Zimbabwe?
Laura Wolvaardt equalled Smriti Mandhana's record of 18 international hundreds — the most by any women's cricketer in history. She reached the milestone with an unbeaten 126 off 62 balls in the third T20I against Zimbabwe on 15 September 2026.
What was Wolvaardt's score and how did she perform in the third T20I?
Wolvaardt scored 126 not out off 62 balls at a strike rate of 203.22, hitting 16 fours and four sixes. It is both her personal T20I best and the highest individual T20I score ever recorded by a South African woman, surpassing Shandre Fritz's 116 set in 2010.
How many T20I hundreds has Wolvaardt scored?
The innings against Zimbabwe was Wolvaardt's fourth hundred in T20I cricket. Her 18 international centuries span all formats of the women's game.
What is the current series scoreline between South Africa and Zimbabwe?
South Africa lead the five-match T20I series 3-0 after three matches. The lead is unassailable, with the fourth T20I scheduled for 17 September. South Africa have won each game comfortably, including victories of 80 runs and 64 runs in the last two matches.
Who else contributed to South Africa's win in the third T20I?
Wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso scored an unbeaten 50 off 51 balls to support Wolvaardt's innings. With the ball, Annerie Dercksen claimed her maiden T20I five-wicket haul with figures of 5/15, helping dismiss Zimbabwe for 120.
