South Africa produced an excellent all-round performance to level the three-match series with a narrow victory.

Schoolgirl Johmari Logtenberg (61) and Daleen Terblanche (79) shared a partnership of 136 as England were set a tough target.

And the home side were unable to repeat the batting form which carried them to a
175-run win at Chelmsford, despite an excellent 68 by Laura Newton.

Needing 17 off the final four overs, England's hopes faded when Jane Smit was run out and the match ended when number eleven Lucy Pearson was bowled by Sune van Zyl.

South Africa made a poor start to the game when Charlize van der Westhuizen was dismissed by Clare Taylor with only seven runs on the board.

But Logtenberg showed a maturity well beyond her 14 years after being promoted to open the batting, collecting seven fours in a two-hour innings.

She was eventually run out with the total on 143, prompting a mini-collapse, which saw Terblanche caught and bowled by Helen Wardlaw for 79, and Alison Hodgkinson and Shandre Fritz fall cheaply.

But van Zyl (21) and Yulandi van der Merwe (20 not out) halted the slide with a vital partnership of 38 which saw the total past 200.

South Africa were eager in the field and their confidence soared as Cri-Zelda Brits nipped out Charlotte Edwards and Claire Taylor, England's two best batters, in her opening spell.

Nolababalu Ndzundzu picked up two wickets, but Brits struck another vital blow when she ended Newton's 90-ball innings, with the help of Logtenberg's catch.

Rosalie Birch went first ball as England slumped to 183-8 but they were still in the hunt while Smit, who made her international debut 11 years ago, was still at the crease.

She had reached 21 when she was beaten by an accurate throw from the final ball of the 47th over and the task of seeing England home was beyond their final pair.

England Women: C M Edwards, L K Newton, S C Taylor, C J Connor (Capt), L Greenway, J Smit (Wkt), R A Birch, H Wardlaw, B L Morgan, C E Taylor, L C Pearson.

South Africa Women: S S D van Zyl, C van der Westhuizen M Terblanche (Wkt), A L Hodgkinson (Capt), J Logtenberg, S A Fritz Y van der Merwe, C Z Brits, A E Smith, N Ndzundzu, A P C Kilowan.