Bengaluru, June 23 (Reporter) South Africa showcased resilience and strategic batting to post a competitive 215/8 in their 50-over clash against India, held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits led the charge with solid contributions, while India's bowlers, particularly Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy, kept the visitors in check with crucial breakthroughs. After a strong 102-run opening stand, South Africa lost momentum, losing eight wickets for just 76 runs. The middle overs proved particularly challenging, thanks to the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil and Deepti. Additionally, two critical run-outs and a lack of application through the middle overs severely impacted their innings. The innings began with Shreyanka and Pooja Vastrakar bowling disciplined lines. Brits found some confidence early on, sweeping Patil for a boundary in the third over. She then stylishly drove Vastrakar for another four, setting the tone for South Africa's innings. Wolvaardt, who took her time to settle, exploded in the 10th over, hammering Vastrakar for four boundaries. This onslaught included a mix of powerful drives and well-timed pulls, helping South Africa gain momentum. However, a timely drinks break saw India regroup and come back stronger. Post-drinks, Brits launched Radha Yadav for a massive six, but soon after, Wolvaardt reached her fifty, contributing significantly to the team's total. South Africa's openers, however, could not maintain their partnership for long. Wolvaardt's fluent 61 off 57 balls came to an end with a brilliant catch by Arundhati, followed by a mix-up resulting in Brits' run out for 38, made in 66 balls with two boundaries and a six. The middle order struggled to build on the openers' foundation. Anneke Bosch was dismissed for 5, caught and bowled by Arundhati, who showcased excellent reflexes. Marizanne Kapp fell cheaply to a change of angle by local star Shreyanka, who induced a mistimed drive. Despite a steadying hand from skipper Sune Luus, who was bowled by Vastrakar for 13, and a brief resistance from Nadine de Klerk, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 178/8. Deepti's double strike in the 43rd over, removing Nadine de Klerk and Nonkululeko Mlaba, left South Africa teetering. A late flurry by Mieke de Ridder, including two innovative boundaries off Vastrakar in the final over, lifted South Africa to a respectable total. De Ridder's unbeaten 26 from 31 balls, combined with the 9th wicket partnership of 37 from 44 balls, added crucial runs to the scoreboard. India will now aim to chase down the target of 216 on a pitch offering turn and grip, with South Africa hoping their bowlers can capitalise on the conditions. Brief Scores South Africa: 215/8 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Tazmin Brits 38; Deepti Sharma 2/27, Arundhati Reddy 2/36)...////...