New Zealand, led by skipper Sophie Devine, had an extended stay in Indore, having suffered a fighting, but a heavy 89-run defeat against the defending champions Australia, led by skipper Alyssa Healy, in their campaign opener on 1st October 2025. The Holkar Cricket Stadium is the same venue where they were scheduled to play South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, on 6th October 2025.
The Proteas came into this contest on a nightmarish day in their campaign opener against England, on 3rd October 2025, getting bundled out for their 2nd lowest total (69) in the ODI World Cup, ending up suffering a 10-wicket hammering in Guwahati. India, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, thrashed Pakistan by 88 runs to extend their lead to 12-0 against them in the ODI format on 5th October 2025 in Colombo.
Sophie Devine leads the charge with a brisk 85 to guide New Zealand to 231
Skipper Sophie Devine, making her 300th international appearance for New Zealand, won the toss and opted to bat first in Indore. Another senior pro, Suzie Bates, also marked her 350th international appearance, becoming the first player to do so in the women’s game. She had a heartbreaking day with the bat, as she departed for a golden duck, as she shuffled across and got trapped on the knee roll, and was found plumb in front. Marizanne Kapp provided the dream start for South Africa.
Amelia Kerr joined Georgia Plimmer at the crease, and the duo led the recovery with a much-needed 44-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Amelia Kerr (23 off 42 balls) looked confident right from the word go, until Nadine de Klerk ended her stay in the 13th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
Skipper Sophie Devine was yet again at the forefront, tasked with digging deep into the innings and guiding her side to a competitive total, as she joined Georgia Plimmer at the crease. The White Ferns skipper took the attack to the South African bowlers en route to their 57-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, which also took them past the 100-run mark.
The introduction of the left-arm spinner Chloe Tryon worked for skipper Laura Wolvaardt, as she ended Georgia Plimmer’s (31 off 68 balls) scratchy stay at the crease in the 26th over of the innings, to provide the 3rd breakthrough for the Proteas. Brooke Halliday, with her counterattack, took the pressure off skipper Sophie Devine, and the runs kept flowing at a brisk rate as the skipper played 2nd fiddle en route to their massive 86-run stand for the 4th wicket, which took them to a commanding position for a strong finish.
Nonkululeko Mlaba broke the stand, by sending Brooke Halliday (45 off 37 balls), catching the top-edge on the slog-sweep, and Mlaba completed a brilliant catch off her own bowling to provide a crucial 4th breakthrough for her side in the 39th over of the innings. After the departure of Brooke Halliday, skipper Sophie Devine had to endure another collapse unfolding in front of her.
The White Ferns lost their last 7 wickets for just 44 runs, as the innings came to an end at 231, with 13 balls to spare. Skipper Sophie Devine (85 off 98 balls) stood out yet again with the bat for New Zealand, while Nonkululeko Mlaba (10-0-40-4) was exceptional with the line and lengths in her spell with the ball for South Africa. Ayabonga Khaka (7.5-1-31-1), Marizanne Kapp (8-1-34-1), Nadine de Klerk (7-0-32-1), and Chloe Tryon (3-0-24-1) played their part with the ball for their side.
Tazmin Brits century, Sune Luus 83* guides South Africa to winning ways
Chasing a target of 232, South African openers Tazmin Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt came out with positive intent, with the skipper leading the way in their 26-run opening stand, scoring at around 9 runs an over. Laura Wolvaardt (14 off 10 balls) became the first South African to surpass 7,000 International runs across formats. Jess Kerr got the big scalp of the opposition skipper in the 3rd over of the innings to provide the massive first breakthrough for New Zealand.
Sune Luus joined Tazmin Brits at the crease, and the duo took the Proteas to a commanding position with an emphatic 159-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which also took them closer to the 200-run mark. It was also their highest-ever partnership for any wicket in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. The partnership dented the morale of the White Ferns on the field, and the duo grew in confidence and eventually took them to the cleaners.
Tazmin Brits broke multiple records as she registered her 7th ODI century, her 5th in the ongoing calendar year. She broke Smriti Mandhana’s record (4 centuries) for most centuries in a calendar year. She also became the fastest to score 7 centuries (in 41 innings) in the ODI format. It was also her 4th ton in the last five innings. Lea Tahuhu broke the ominous stand by sending Tazmin Brits (101 off 89 balls) in the 32nd over of the run chase to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for New Zealand.
New Zealand managed to delay the inevitable by sending Marizanne Kapp (14 off 15 balls) and Anneke Bosch back to the pavilion in quick succession. South Africa eventually managed to get over the line with 6 wickets in hand and 55 balls to spare. Sune Luus (83* off 114 balls) anchored the run chase for her side. Her knock included 9 boundaries and a maximum.
Amelia Kerr (10-0-62-2), Lea Tahuhu (6-0-27-1), and Jess Ker (7-0-41-1) were impressive with the ball for New Zealand to take the game deeper and save further dent on the net run rate. Tazmin Brits was awarded the Player of the Match for her impactful innings with the bat for her side. Her knock included 15 boundaries and a maximum. She, alongside Nonkululeko Mlaba’s 4-fer, played a pivotal role in helping South Africa register their first win of the tournament.
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