Australia 149 for 2 (Mooney 72*, Healy 46) lost South Africa 147 for 6 (Brits 59*) with eight wickets
The treasure batsman was a doubt for the clash at Manuka Oval after suffering from illness, but proved his fitness and then scored a match-winning 46 as the home side sealed a five-ball, eight-wicket win.
Healy looked impressive from the moment she took the crease and quickly broke the back of the chase, hitting two sixes and six fours in her 28-ball 46.
An audacious hit over midwicket to the basket by South African bowler Marizanne Kapp for four was probably the bowler’s shot, although a huge six straight back over the head of Nonkululeko Mlaba also caught the eye.
By the time Healy fell to Nadine de Klerk at long-on, Australia were effectively home, with Mooney and Tahlia McGrath finding scoring work hard, leading them to victory in the final over, never conceding a run. no risk of losing.
The partnership between the ICC world No. 1 and No. 2 added 65 runs, while Mooney played some masterful knocks finding 11 boundaries and a massive six that completed the result.
It was not the start South Africa were looking for in their multi-format series with Australia, with the sides scheduled for three T20Is, three ODIs and a Test match next month.
The British were bogged down early and couldn’t find a run, but came alive in the middle stages of the innings after Grace Harris’ foot touched the boundary rope while trying to complete what would have been a stunning catch.
She took the second chance and ran with it, hitting two sixes and six fours as she carried her bat through the innings to become the backbone of South Africa’s batting.
Sune Luus worked well with the British and beat Georgia Wareham for four in a row. However, he fell on the very next ball, with Healy taking a treacherous leg behind the stumps.
Canberra will host the second T20I on Sunday morning, before the series moves to Hobart on Tuesday.