South Africa 150 for 4 (du Preez 35*, Devine 1-17) beat New Zealand 149 all out (Bates 51, Luus 6-45) by six wickets
For the third time in this ODI series, New Zealand had first strike, and for the third time this series, South Africa came up trumps. This time it was on the back of innings-wrecking 6 for 45 from legspinner Sune Luus, who spun the hosts out for 149 and secured South Africa direct qualification into the 2021 ODI World Cup.
New Zealand's innings folded in just 38.1 overs, with Suzie Bates their only performer of note, scoring 51 of their runs. They had been inserted by South Africa and looked on course for a decent total at 96 for 3 in the 23rd, with Bates set at one end. Then, Luus struck her first blow: Katie Perkins stumped by Trisha Chetty for 11. The wickets - including two more stumpings - came quick and fast thereafter, with Luus racing to her second-best figures in ODI cricket. The innings ended with No. 11 Rosemary Mair's run-out.
None of South Africa's batters really got going, but then the target of 150 was never really going to stretch them. They eased home in the 38th over, on the back of 30-somethings from captain Dane van Niekerk and Mignon du Preez.
"I was really happy with how the girls handled the pressure in today's match and how we went about our job with a sense of confidence," van Niekerk said after the match. "We started really well in the field. Kappie (Marizanne Kapp) and Shabnim (Ismail) managed to put pressure on and didn't concede a lot. The six-for from Sune (Luus) was the key and really proud of her- that's initially what started it off and created a big buzz in the field. It is a great feeling to come out with a 3-0 win over a very strong New Zealand side."
The teams will now play five T20Is, which gain extra significance as it is their last chance to fine tune plans for the Women's T20 World Cup that kicks off in Australia on February 21.