The eighteenth fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 is set to deliver a gripping spectacle as Sri Lanka Women lock horns with South Africa Women on October 17th at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The contest begins at 3:00 PM IST, promising an electrifying showdown between Sri Lanka’s fierce home spirit and South Africa’s resurgent confidence.
Form Guide – Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka approach this encounter eager to rediscover their winning rhythm after an up-and-down campaign so far. Their tournament opener against India reflected both promise and frustration — the islanders had the hosts reeling at 124/6 before a rain-adjusted DLS target of 271 proved beyond reach, resulting in a 59-run defeat. Their next fixture against Australia was abandoned due to persistent showers, while England exposed Sri Lanka’s batting frailties by bundling them out for 164 in pursuit of 254. Another rain-affected outing against New Zealand further stalled their momentum, leaving Chamari Athapaththu’s side desperate to stamp their authority on home turf.
The team’s build-up to the World Cup mirrored their fluctuating form. A rain-hit warm-up against Pakistan and a narrow one-run loss to Bangladesh revealed their tendency to let key moments slip. Earlier in the year, their campaign in the Tri-Nation Series featuring India and South Africa told a similar tale — flashes of brilliance interspersed with inconsistency. Sri Lanka claimed memorable league-stage wins over both opponents but faltered in the final, falling to India by 97 runs. Their sequence from that tournament read: a 9-wicket loss to India, a 5-wicket victory over South Africa, a 3-wicket win over India, a 76-run defeat to South Africa, and a disappointing finish in the decider — a pattern that underlined their struggle for closure in pressure situations.
Form Guide – South Africa
South Africa, on the other hand, have scripted a remarkable turnaround after a shaky start. Their campaign began disastrously against England — bowled out for just 69 and beaten by 10 wickets — but they responded with determination and composure. A convincing six-wicket win over New Zealand reignited their confidence, which they carried forward into a nail-biting victory over India, sealed in the final over. Another steady chase against Bangladesh cemented their resurgence, as Laura Wolvaardt’s team emerged as one of the most in-form sides of the tournament. With three successive wins, South Africa now appears balanced, assured, and hungry for another statement performance.
Their pre-tournament journey, however, wasn’t without obstacles. During the Tri-Nation Series with India and Sri Lanka earlier this year, they struggled to find consistency, winning only once in four outings. Yet, that phase proved a turning point. A successful tour of the West Indies in June, where they clinched a 2-1 series win, was followed by another 2-1 triumph in Pakistan in September — both serving as vital confidence boosters. In their World Cup warm-ups, a rain-affected match and a composed four-wicket win rounded off their preparations, giving them the steadiness they now display on the world stage.
Head-to-Head:
- Total Matches – 25
- Sri Lanka Wins – 6
- South Africa Wins – 16
- No Result – 3
Historically, South Africa have maintained a strong upper hand in this rivalry, winning 16 of the 25 encounters, while Sri Lanka have claimed six victories. Three matches have ended without a result. Their latest face-offs came during the Tri-Nation Series (April–May 2025) on Sri Lankan soil, where both teams shared the spoils with one win each — a reminder that this contest could be far more balanced than the statistics suggest.
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