The fourth fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 promises high drama as England take on South Africa on October 3rd at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The clash begins at 3:00 PM IST, setting the stage for a compelling contest between two sides who know each other all too well.
Form Guide – England
The year 2025 has been one of change and recalibration for England Women. With four wins from nine outings, their journey has seen both highs and setbacks. The year began with a painful 0-3 Ashes defeat, after which Heather Knight stepped down as captain. Nat Sciver-Brunt was entrusted with the leadership role, while Charlotte Edwards took over as head coach, marking the dawn of a new era.
England’s performances since then have been a mix of dominance and frailty. Against West Indies in May–June, they flexed their muscle with a commanding 3-0 clean sweep — winning by 108 runs, 143 runs, and comfortably chasing 106 (DLS) with nine wickets in hand.
The July series against India tested their grit: England lost the opener by four wickets, bounced back with an eight-wicket DLS chase, but narrowly lost the decider by 13 runs. Yet, in warm-ups, they sent out a clear warning — hammering hosts India by 152 runs before chasing down 248 against defending champions Australia, showcasing both batting depth and bowling bite.
Form Guide – South Africa
South Africa’s route to the World Cup has been anything but straightforward. In the Tri-Nation Series against India and Sri Lanka earlier this year, they managed only one win in four attempts. Still, there were individual sparks — Suné Dercksen emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer (276 runs), while Chloe Tryon chipped in with six wickets.
Momentum returned on the West Indies tour in June, where South Africa secured a 2-1 series victory. Brits piled up 184 runs, Wolvaardt anchored the batting with 130, and Nonkululeko Mlaba shone with seven wickets across three games.
Their September tour of Pakistan further sharpened their combinations: they won the opening two ODIs in style — chasing 255/4 in the first and defending 292/3 in the second (DLS) — before faltering in the third, bowled out for just 115. In warm-ups, their first match was washed out, but they edged Pakistan in the second with a four-wicket win, ensuring they arrived at the World Cup with renewed confidence.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches – 46
- England Women Wins – 35
- South Africa Women Wins – 10
England hold a commanding lead in this rivalry, having won the bulk of their encounters. Their most recent face-off came in December 2024, when England toured South Africa. The hosts struck first with a six-wicket win, but England stormed back, taking the next two matches — both by six wickets — to seal a 2-1 series triumph.
England may hold the historical edge, but South Africa’s recent form makes this a far closer contest. With both teams eyeing a strong start to their World Cup campaigns, fans can expect a competitive battle in Guwahati.
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