New Zealand posted 216-1 in a 66-run win over South Africa in the tri-series opener, thanks largely to captain Suzie Bates' 124 not out.

But England eclipsed it with a mammoth 250-3 on the same Taunton wicket.

Tammy Beaumont hit 116 off 52 balls before England limited South Africa to 129-6 to seal a 121-run win.

• Relive England v South Africa with video highlights

Beaumont's century, off 47 deliveries, was the second fastest in women's T20 history and she equalled the record of 22 boundaries in a T20 innings, set by Australia's Meg Lanning.

Beaumont was given support by opening partner Danni Wyatt, who struck 56 off 36 balls, while Katherine Brunt made an unbeaten 42 off 16.

England men's highest T20 score is 230-8.

South Africa's Masabata Klaas took 0-59 and Stacy Lackay 2-59 from four overs, the most expensive bowling figures in T20 internationals.

Pace bowler Marizanne Kapp bowled only two overs before leaving the field with heart palpitations.

"Her heart rate was going up a lot higher than it should," said Dane van Niekerk, who made 72. "She didn't want to come off but I told her to get off the field.

"Thanks to England, she's seen the doctor and hopefully she's OK."

The tri-series continues at the same venue on Saturday, with England facing South Africa at 13:00 BST and New Zealand at 17:40.

A 'perfect performance' and a 'proper hiding' - what they said

England captain Heather Knight on Sky Sports: "Our coach Mark Robinson told us not to think about New Zealand's record. But while the batting will get the headlines, our bowling was outstanding. This was close to a perfect performance."

South Africa skipper Dane van Niekerk on Sky Sports: "We got a proper hiding from both teams today. I can't fault the batters, but our bowling is an area of concern, we're all over the place at the moment. We spoke between games about what we wanted to do, but did the complete opposite."

Player of the match Tammy Beaumont on her third successive international century: "It's pretty pleasing to contribute to these wins - our assistant coach Ali Maiden said to me 'I bet you can't get three in three'."

Brilliant Bates moves past Edwards

Earlier, Bates hit 16 fours and three sixes as she surpassed former England skipper Charlotte Edwards' tally of 2,605 to become the leading run-scorer in women's T20 internationals.

Despite becoming the White Ferns' first T20 centurion, she fell two short of the highest score in T20 history, Lanning's 126 for Australia against Ireland in 2014.

South Africa managed only 150-6 in reply.

Earlier this month, New Zealand made an ODI record 490-4 against Ireland in Dublin, a match in which Bates struck 151 from 94 balls.

Bates hit 16 fours and three sixes in her unbeaten 124 at Taunton