The White Ferns have collapsed to another crushing defeat at the Twenty20 World Cup, beaten by 65 runs by South Africa in Paarl on Tuesday (NZ time) to put them on the precipice of an early exit from the tournament.
Two days after being skittled for 76 runs against Australia, the Kiwis set that bar even lower, trundled for just 67 - their second-lowest total in the format - in pursuit of the hosts' 132/6.
The result means the White Ferns will now have to rely on other results going their way if they're to have any chance of advancing into the semi-finals. But with a negative run rate to their name, that seems an unlikely outcome.
They play Bangladesh on Saturday then face Sri Lanka on Monday, where they'll need to register two resounding wins then firmly cross their fingers.
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl, the New Zealanders would've left the pitch relatively pleased with their efforts, despite a couple of dropped opportunities. Young spinner Eden Carson showed her promise again with figures of 2/23, while Lea Tahuhu finished with 2/27.
But the White Ferns' top order failed to fire yet again, losing four wickets for just 18 runs to pile the pressure on the middle and lower order, which stuggled to fnd any rhythm against a suffocating bowling and fielding effort from the fired-up hosts.
Skipper Sophie Devine top scored with 16 - one of just only three NZ batters to reach double figures.
Chloe Tryon was the star for South Africa, top scoring with 40 off 34 balls and taking 2/12 with the ball in a player-of-the-match performance.
"It's embarrassing," said Devine after the game. "I can't really say much else apart from that.
"We've trained well and put in all the work behind the scenes and then to come out and perform like that two nights in a row is simply not good enough for international cricket.
"I thought it was a competitive score but we always have the belief that we can chase down any score. I thought the wicket was slightly better than it was last game. So for us, again it was just disappointing.
"We're going to have to have some serious looks in the mirror and some pretty harsh discussions."
Coach Bob Sawyer switched up the top of the batting order but the new partnership of Suzie Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout was shortlived, with Bezuidenhout snared in a brilliant stumping with the second ball of the game
Suzie Bates' miserable tournament continued, as she was bowled by a skidding delivery from Mlaba for her second duck in as many innings.
When Plimmer edged a short ball from Marizanne Kapp, the Ferns found themselves reeling at 13/3 in the fourth over.
Kerr and Green followed in quick succession, both caught by outstanding keeper Jafta - to put the hosts firmly on top.
Devine and Maddy Green struggled to make any inroads on a climbing run rate and when both departed in 14th over, and any hope of an NZ miracle went with them.
The New Zealanders made the ideal start to the match, with Devine's choice to open the bowling with the off-spin of Eden Carson paying immediate dividends, trapping Tazmin Brits LBW with her fourth delivery.
Lea Tahuhu replaced Carson after just one over and quickly nabbed another, as Marizanne Kapp skied a simple catch to point.
Skipper Sune Luus and Wolvaardt set about rebuilding the South African innings, until Luus was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding by wicketkeeper Berdanine Bezuidenhout, who whipped off a gloves and threw down the stumps from close range.
Wolvaardt followed soon after, as Tahuhu removed her off-stump from the ground.
That brought Tryon to the crease, who became the anchor for the rest of the South Africa innings alongside Nadine de Klerk, who joined her when Carson bowled Delmi Tucker for her second wicket of the day.
The pair put on 47 runs off 39 balls in a critical sixth-wicket partnership to ensure the hosts were able to post a competitive total that threatened to be much worse after their shaky start.
That total ultimately proved more than sufficient against a completely discombobulated White Ferns batting outfit.
South Africa 132/6 (Tryon 40, Carson 2/23, Tahuhu 2/27) beat New Zealand 67 (Devine 16, Mlaba 3/10) by 65 runs.
