Laura Wolvaardt's ton drives SA's imposing 299/8 in must-win third ODI against Windies

Laura Wolvaardt's third ODI century anchored South Africa's imposing 299/8 in the third ODI against the West Indies at the Wanderers on Thursday.

Wolvaardt's classy and unfettered knock saw her shrug off the early losses of Tazmin Brits (18) and Anneke Bosch (5) to give the hosts a more than a decent opportunity of keeping themselves alive in the series.

Wolvaardt (117) combined with captain Sune Luus (53) for a 141-run partnership for the third wicket that stabilised the innings after an early stutter.

Chloe Tryon's 24-ball 43 ensured the spadework of that stand wasn't wasted, leaving the visitors a total that'll ask plenty from them when they chase.

South Africa's innings was also overshadowed by Chedean Nation's neck injury where the 35-year-old had to be stretchered off after sustaining whiplash while fielding.

Having won the toss and batted first on a surface that played fairly throughout under the hot sun, Wolvaardt's dig was chanceless.

It also required a fair bit of application and discipline and Shamilia Connell (4/54) and Chinelle Henry (1/64) bowled line and lengths outside off-stump that didn't allow the home team's batters to drive at will.

While Brits clouted Connell for four fours in her second over, hers was the first wicket to fall in the fifth over when she feathered an edge to Shemaine Campbelle to leave South Africa at 29/1.

Two overs and three balls later, that score became 40/2 when Anneke Bosch, one of three changes made for this game, saw her leading edge excellently caught by Deandra Dottin at backward point.

That would be the last success the visitors would smell until the 36th over when Luus and Wolvaardt first played with the necessary circumspection, but opened up as the loose balls became more