From Throwing Javelins to Breaking Records: Tazmin Brits Surpasses Smriti Mandhana with Five ODI Centuries
Tazmin Brits has changed South African cricket by becoming the first woman to score five tons in a year. Her journey to the top was not easy. She was a former World Junior Athletics Championships bronze medallist in javelin and also met the qualification mark for the 2012 London Olympics.
he two most in-form batters of the year in women’s ODIs before the ICC Women’s World Cup were Smriti Mandhana and Tazmin Brits. Both had already scored four centuries each in 2025.
While Mandhana had two chances to improve her record — in Guwahati against Sri Lanka and in Colombo against Pakistan — she missed out. On the other hand, South Africa’s Brits broke the record on Monday in Indore against New Zealand. She became the first player ever to score five centuries in a calendar year in women’s ODIs. The previous record was held by Mandhana, with four centuries in both 2024 and 2025.
Brits has changed South African cricket by becoming the first woman to score five tons in a year. Her journey to the top was not easy. She was a former World Junior Athletics Championships bronze medallist in javelin and also met the qualification mark for the 2012 London Olympics.
However, she faced a terrible accident while driving to celebrate her achievement. Looking at her phone while driving caused a crash. She suffered multiple pelvic fractures, a burst bladder, and internal bleeding.
With the help of her parents, physiotherapists, and psychologists, Brits made a near-miraculous recovery. After a year of treatment, she began walking again.
In this article, we will share her journey, the reason behind this celebration, and more.
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Tazmin Brits Shines in Stunning World Cup Turnaround
After being bowled out for just 69 in Guwahati and losing to England by 10 wickets, South Africa made a stunning comeback. Led by Laura Wolvaardt, they chased 232 in 40.5 overs, bringing their World Cup campaign back on track.
Brits, a former javelin thrower who won bronze at the 2010 World U20 Championships with a best throw of 54.55m, had her Olympic dream crushed after a car accident in November 2011. Despite suffering multiple pelvic fractures, a burst bladder, and internal injuries, she made a remarkable recovery. Today, the Olympic rings tattooed on her right bicep were visible as she celebrated her 7th ODI century.
Brits continued throwing javelin until 2018 but has become one of South Africa’s top batters in white-ball cricket. On Monday, she became the fastest player to reach seven ODI centuries, achieving the milestone in just 41 innings and breaking Meg Lanning’s record of 44 innings.
“It feels great. I’m glad we could pull this one through. We needed it after the first game. I’m not one for records, but beating Meg Lanning is nice. As long as we are winning, I’m happy,” Brits said.
Record-Breaking Year for Brits
While she started her cricket career slowly with low strike rates, Brits has improved steadily:
2021: Average 27.33, Strike Rate 52.22
2022: Average 16.33, Strike Rate 55.05
2023: Average 33.22, Strike Rate 87.94
2024: Average 27.55, Strike Rate 72.51
2025: Average 83.22, Strike Rate 96.14
Brits said, “I’m just backing myself more now. I’m staying positive and working on my batting. Batting camps helped a lot. I’m trying to be more than one-dimensional. In this chase, I just focused on middling the balls. Also, I used a new bat today; I think it’s lucky.”
Earlier in the day, Sophie Devine scored a fluent half-century, but South Africa fought back with Nonkululeko Mlaba taking four wickets to restrict New Zealand to 231.
Brits’ signature celebrations have become famous. She usually does a ballerina pose for her dad and teammate Masabata Klaas’s 13-year-old daughter. On Monday, she celebrated differently, going down on one knee like an archer and pointing to her teammates.
“I always do a ballerina for my dad at 50. Today, two 13-year-old girls from South Africa and Australia asked me to do this celebration for them,” she said.
Breaking Smriti Mandhana’s Record
Previously, Smriti Mandhana held the record with four centuries in a calendar year (2024 and 2025). Brits’ fifth century pushed her past Mandhana, making her the first woman to achieve five centuries in a single year in ODIs.
Brits also became the fastest player to reach seven ODI centuries, doing so in just 41 innings, breaking Meg Lanning’s record of 44 innings.
Consistent Form in 2025
Throughout 2025, Brits has shown exceptional consistency and adaptability. She rotates strike well and builds partnerships, making her South Africa’s most reliable top-order batter. Each innings shows maturity, smart shot selection, and confidence, turning her into a match-winner.
In the World Cup match against New Zealand, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Mlaba, restricted the White Ferns to 231. Brits anchored the chase with her century, guiding her team to victory and securing a place among the top five teams in the World Cup standings. She was awarded Player of the Match, capping a memorable day for South African cricket.
