South Africa strike first as Khaka leads confident World Cup buildup

South Africa opened their T20 World Cup preparations with a composed six‑wicket victory over India in Durban, taking a 1‑0 lead in the five‑match series. Ayabonga Khaka set the tone with a superb spell of three for sixteen, helping restrict India to 157 for seven before captain Laura Wolvaardt guided the chase with a steady half‑century. Khaka said the team focused on simplifying their plans after identifying shortcomings from the recent New Zealand tour, noting that the quick turnaround demanded clarity rather than overthinking.

She highlighted three days of demanding training as crucial to correcting earlier mistakes. While the win offered momentum, Khaka stressed that the broader objective remains refining processes ahead of June’s global tournament. The series, she said, must reveal what systems hold up under pressure and which require adjustment. For South Africa, the opening performance provided both reassurance and a clear framework for the work still ahead.