With the Proteas and New Zealand both having lost their opening matches of the tournament, the game becomes a must-win match for both teams if they are to stand a chance of reaching the semi-finals.

On Friday, South Africa played their first match at Newlands in Cape Town and the result wasn’t favourable as they lost by three runs to a fired-up Sri Lanka.

New Zealand in turn were demolished with a heavy 97-run defeat at the hands of the reigning world champions, Australia.

The Proteas' vice captain, Chloe Tryon, said that while the defeat was a setback, they preferred to focus on the upcoming game.

"It’s obviously a difficult game to lose, particularly the way we did. But as a group we try not to focus on that too much. We’ve been playing really good cricket," said the destructive all-rounder.

"It is a very difficult game against New Zealand coming up, so we can’t take anyone lightly. It’s important that we do the right things and let the result take care of itself," added Tryon.

Tryon said with a smile that playing on home soil has been lovely and thrilling, as well as witnessing all the support for women's cricket. Tyron added that it is exciting to play in front of family and friends and to make everyone else proud as well.

Speaking ahead of the game against their much more fancied opponent, New Zealand, she relayed that she has improved in her ability to assume more responsibility, not just for batting but also for bowling and team leadership.

She added that "I now understand my role and I want to win many games with South Africa".

The Proteas have identified Jess Kerr, a powerful swing bowler for the New Zealanders, as a threat, but Tyron is unfazed, saying: "As a batting unit, that one innings doesn't define us. I think if we just play our style of cricket and keep checking our boxes, we can come up with those wins."

The match between South Africa and New Zealand will get underway on Monday night at 19:00 at Boland Park in Paarl.

OFM Sport/Zenande Mpame