The Laura Wolvaardt-led side were eager to extend their fairytale redemption story in the ongoing edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, as they were up against Pakistan, led by skipper Fatima Sana, on 21st October 2025, who were not only searching for their first win, but also were desperate to keep their campaign alive in the ongoing edition of the tournament.
South Africa made one change as Ayabonga Khaka replaced Masabata Klaas in the starting 11. Pakistan retained the same side that took the field in their previous encounter.
Proteas batting unit powers them to their record highest World Cup total
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bowl first. Just two overs into the contest, the rains arrived, and a lengthy delay meant the game was eventually reduced to a 40-overs-per-side contest. South Africa lost Tazmin Brits for a duck, just before the rain break.
Sune Luus joined skipper Laura Wolvaardt at the crease, and the duo switched gears as soon as the game resumed. The pair backed their instincts and played with positive intent, forming a massive 118-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, infusing the much-needed momentum, taking the innings into the 3rd gear, right from the word go, especially considering the unpredictability of the weather.
Nashra Sandhu broke the stand, by sending Sune Luus (61 off 59 balls) back to the pavilion in the 17th over of the innings, to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for Pakistan. Annerie Dercksen’s stay at the crease was ended courtesy of an unfortunate run-out. However, skipper Laura Wolvaardt continued to play some visually pleasing, crisp strokes and ensured the scoreboard kept moving at the brisk rate as she was joined by Marizanne Kapp at the crease.
The duo took them past the 200-run mark, with a vital 64-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Nashra Sandhu returned and got the big scalp of the opposition skipper, Laura Wolvaardt (90 off 82 balls). She registered her 2nd consecutive half-century but fell 10 runs short of her first century in the ongoing edition of the tournament. Young wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso made her way back into the pavilion in the very same over to bring Pakistan back into the contest in the 31st over of the innings.
Chloe Tryon joined Marizanne Kapp at the crease, and the pair displayed a blend of class and sheer power en route to their 41-run stand for the 6th wicket, which also took them past the 250-run mark. Sadia Iqbal ended Chloe Tryon’s (21 off 16 balls) cameo in the 36th over of the innings to provide the 6th breakthrough for her side.
It was now time to witness another episode of Nadine de Klerk’s special, as she stormed her way to 41 (16 balls), smashing 3 boundaries and 4 maximums, before being dismissed in the final over of the innings. Marizanne Kapp 68* (43 balls) stayed unbeaten on an enterprising half-century, as South Africa powered their way to their highest-ever total, 312/9 in their rain-truncated allocated quota of 40 overs.
Nashra Sandhu (8-0-45-3) and Sadia Iqbal (8-0-63-3) picked up three wickets each with the ball for Pakistan. The Fatima Sana-led side conceded 22 extras.
Disciplined South Africa crushes clueless Pakistan out of the tournament
It was very much a start-stop run chase, of an eventually revised total of 234 in 20 overs. The South African new ball bowlers, Marizanne Kapp (5-0-20-3), and Ayabonga Khaka (4-1-14-1) pounced on the Pakistani top-order on juggling on either side of the rain breaks.
With 8 overs still required to conclude the game with a result, in dicey weather conditions, the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, pulled out a street-smart move. She gave clear instructions to her spin quartet of Nonkululeko Mlaba (4-1-16-0), Nondumiso Shangase (4-0-19-2), Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus to just run through the overs. The unit delivered exactly that, completing the quota of 20 overs, just in the nick of time before the rains arrived yet again.
Pakistan were restricted to 83/7 in their allotted quota of overs. As a result, they fell 150 runs short of the target. Sidra Nawaz (22* off 33 balls), Natalia Pervaiz (20 off 24 balls), and Sidra Amin (13 off 24 balls) were the only batters to enter the double digits with the bat for Pakistan.
Marizanne Kapp was awarded the Player of the Match for her impactful all-round exploits, scoring 68* (43 balls) with the bat and returning with impressive match figures (5-0-20-3) in her spell with the ball. South Africa registered their record 5th successive victory in their World Cup campaign. As a result, they toppled Australia to claim the top spot with 10 points from 6 games in the points table.
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