South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, on paper, the team looks solid, which aims to merge a perfect balance between exuberance and experience as they chase their maiden world title. They have hosted the tournament once before, back in 2005, but are yet to lift the coveted trophy. However, leading up to the tournament, they underwent a well-oiled preparation round with a 2-1 series victory over Pakistan in Lahore. The Proteas will believe they have what it takes to finally break the jinx. They will kick start their campaign against England on October 3 in Guwahati.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Opening Duo
One of South Africa’s biggest assets going into the tournament is their trusted opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. Since the last World Cup, these two have given their side strong starts consistently and are, in fact, the highest scoring opening partnership duo in women’s ODIs in this time period.
Before the series against Pakistan, they had already scored 1,271 runs in 24 innings, with a staggering average of 52.95. Their best moment came in the second ODI in Lahore, when they put on a staggering 260-run partnership for the first wicket. The Proteas will be counting on their chemistry at the top to provide momentum in India and Sri Lanka and push their campaign in search of that elusive first World Cup crown.
Pool of All-rounders
Another major strength for South Africa is the number of quality all-rounders in their side. Few teams in the tournament can match that variety. The core player is Marizanne Kapp, the most accomplished athlete of the group, who is still able to come through when it matters. Her scintillating 121* in the first ODI against Pakistan was a reminder of both her quality and capability to change games her own way. However, she will not be carrying the burden alone.
Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon come with years of experience and know exactly what is required to handle the pressures of the global stage, while younger names such as Nadine de Klerk and Annerie Dercksen bring youth and exuberance. Both are heading into their first World Cup but have already proven their value – de Klerk has been South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs since the 2022 World Cup, while Dercksen was recognised as the ICC Women’s Emerging Player of the Year in 2024. Add in Nondumiso Shangase and Anneke Bosch, and the Proteas have a well-rounded unit with plenty of options across departments.
Spin to win for the Proteas?
In sub-continental conditions, spin is often the key, and South Africa will turn to Nonkululeko Mlaba to take the charge. She has been reliable over the past two years, playing a major role in helping the team secure early qualification through the ICC Women’s Championship. Since the last World Cup, Mlaba has picked up 34 wickets in 29 games, showing both control and consistency. Just as important, she has kept batters quiet in the middle overs, with her economy rate staying around five runs an over. Backing her up will be Chloe Tryon, Sune Luus, and Nondumiso Shangase, giving the Proteas a decent mix of spin options to use across different stages of the innings.
Weaknesses
Flashes of brilliance on the field
A major concern for South Africa is their inconsistency. The team has shown sparks of brilliance but has struggled to put together a steady run of results. Since the start of 2024, the record has been mixed. They were swept 3-0 by India in India, went down 2–1 to England at home, and managed only one win in four matches during the tri-series in Sri Lanka, finishing at the bottom. While they did edge past West Indies and Pakistan by 2–1 margins, both those opponents were coming off appearances in the World Cup qualifiers. Taken together, the performances suggest that the Proteas have not been at their best against the heavyweights.
The bold Dane van Niekerk exclusion
Another gap for South Africa is the absence of former captain Dane van Niekerk. The 32-year-old had recently come out of retirement and even joined the squad for a training camp in August, which had raised hopes of a World Cup return. But the team management made it clear that the tournament would arrive too soon for her comeback. Van Niekerk’s record shows just how much experience the Proteas will miss. In 107 ODIs, she scored 2,175 runs at an average of over 36, while also taking 138 wickets with an economy rate of only 3.46. As skipper, she had led the team in 50 ODIs and 30 T20Is, becoming one of South Africa’s most respected cricketers.
Opportunities
All-rounder Annie Dercksen is one of the most promising names in South African cricket in recent times, who is all set to make her maiden appearance at a World Cup. Despite being early in her career as an international cricketer, she has showcased promise as a future star. With 402 runs in 13 outings and 10 wickets in 11 innings, Dercksen has demonstrated she can perform with both bat and ball.
Her qualifications have also been recognized through winning the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2024, where she became South Africa’s first winner of this award. Anneke Bosch, at age 32, is also making her World Cup debut after languishing in obscurity for years. These two women can hopefully take advantage of their opportunities when they are on full display in India and Sri Lanka.
Threats
When the lights are the brightest, and pressure is the highest, it has been often seen that young players let the magnitude of the occasion overwhelm them. The side of 2025 is a very different team from the one that played the last edition of the World Cup where they finished second on the points table before being beaten by eventual runners-up England. With veterans like Ismail, Chetty, du Preez, and Lee having stepped aside, a younger core led by Wolvaardt carries the team forward. While their energy and versatility are a huge asset, the sheer scale and intensity of a World Cup could test their composure.
South Africa Squad for Women’s World Cup 2025:
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso (WK), Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase
South Africa’s fixtures at Women’s World Cup 2025:
3 October 2025: vs England – Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
6 October 2025: vs New Zealand – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
9 October 2025: vs India – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
13 October 2025: vs Bangladesh – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
17 October 2025: vs Sri Lanka – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
21 October 2025: vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
25 October 2025: vs Australia – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
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