The Proteas’ four-match winning streak came to an end as they failed to beat India in the first of three Super Six matches on Wednesday.

The round of Super Six matches will determine who will join Australia, New Zealand, England (hosts) and West Indies at the 2017 World Cup in June.

South Africa won the toss and sent India in to bat. The Indians scored 205-8 with a 96-run partnership between Mona Meshram (55 off 85) and Mithali Raj (64 off 85) anchoring their innings. Marizanne Kapp (2-23) Ayabonga Khaka (2-40) both took two, while Shabnim Ismail (1-44) and Dane van Niekerk (1-30) took one apiece. Van Niekerk’s scalp took her to 100 wickets to become the first South African bowler to reach the milestone.

SA’s start was weak. They lost both openers, Lizelle Lee (1) and Laura Wolvaardt (0), for eight runs after 4.2 overs. Trisha Chetty and Mignon du Preez tried to get their side’s innings rolling, but Du Preez only managed 15 runs until she fell to Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1-32). The introduction of Kapp helped SA steady the innings as she paired with Chetty to reach a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Kapp only managed 29 before the loss of her wicket on the first ball of the 31st over to Poonam Yadav (1-31).

Chetty powered on to reach her 14th career half-century, but she lost her wicket moments later to Deepti Sharma (1-35) on 52 as the SA innings started to plummet.

Wickets continued to tumble with Dane van Niekerk (20) the only other batter to reach the 20-mark. The Proteas were bundled out for 156, thanks to Shikha Pandey (4-34) and Ekta Bisht (3-22) helping their side to a 49-run victory.

SA will take on Sri Lanka in their second of three Super Six clashes on Friday, as they hunt down World Cup Qualification.

South Africa Women vs India Women scorecard

Photo: Huggard/Gallo Images