The Lionesses won the game at Buffalo Park by four wickets, however, South Africa was in the game for the most part and the visitors only won with four balls to spare.

There were perhaps one of two soft moments in the field by South Africa which was the difference between the two teams, and in addition, a couple of less experienced players were in action for the hosts.

South Africa was also without the allrounder Chloe Tryon while the highly experienced Marizanne Kapp is not playing in the series.

The allrounder, Nadine de Klerk, who took 2/20 with the ball, told OFM Sport that there are positives to build on.

“I think we played pretty well, probably for 35 out of the 40 overs, to be honest,” said De Klerk.

“We’ve played a lot here at East London and we knew it was a 180-run wicket, so I think when we almost got a 150, you know, we felt we were in the game and I think we bowled well.

Eliz-Mari Marx and Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: Cricinfo

“We lost it a bit towards that middle over and backend with a few extras and maybe a few missed fields and those sorts of things, but I mean, like I said, it was pretty young battling attack and you’ve just got to absorb the pressure and take the learnings from this game.

“It is a short series, it’s only three games, so you kind of want to bounce back in the next one.”

One of the big positives for South Africa was that it wasn’t the usual players that nearly got over the line, it was rather the newer players such as Annerie Derksen who did well with the bat, and Eliz-Mari Marx who bowled really well.

The 2nd T20 International will be played on Wednesday at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg