South Africa Women defeated India by three wickets in a close contest at the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 in Visakhapatnam. India posted 251 in 49.5 overs, powered by a superb, blazing knock from Richa Ghosh, who missed her century by just six runs. While chasing, South Africa lost early wickets, but Nadine de Klerk’s career-best 84 and a composed knock from Laura Wolvaardt guided them to victory in a tense clash. De Klerk’s innings outshone Richa Ghosh’s brilliant 94 as South Africa completed their fifth-highest successful chase in World Cup history.

The match swung back and forth several times before de Klerk’s composed finish sealed the win with seven balls left. With this result, South Africa climbed to fourth in the points table, level with India and England but behind on net run rate.

India’s Early Momentum

India got off to a brisk start. Pratika Rawal struck boundaries early and survived a close lbw call against Marizanne Kapp, who had overstepped. Smriti Mandhana, although struggling for timing, hit a stunning six over Kapp’s head to become the batter with the most ODI runs in a calendar year, surpassing Belinda Clarke.

However, Mandhana’s dismissal after the powerplay opened the floodgates. Nonkululeko Mlaba and de Klerk choked the scoring, with Mlaba bowling Harleen Deol with a turning beauty.

Middle-Order Struggles Continue

Jemimah Rodrigues was trapped lbw for a duck, her third dismissal to left-arm spin in the tournament. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur managed only nine before falling to a top edge off Tryon, and Deepti Sharma was caught behind soon after. At 102 for 6, India’s hopes rested on Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur.

Amanjot, returning after an illness, partnered with Ghosh to steady the innings. Ghosh, after surviving an early scare, began attacking — sweeping, lofting, and pulling to reach her fifty from 53 balls.

India Recover After Collapse

India began strongly, scoring 55 runs in the powerplay, but a middle-order collapse saw them fall to 102 for 6. Richa Ghosh led the recovery with a determined 94, supported by Amanjot Kaur in a 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Later, Sneh Rana’s quick 33 off 24 balls boosted India’s total.

India’s last ten overs brought 98 runs, shifting momentum back in their favor. The late surge seemed to leave South Africa under pressure heading into their chase.

Ghosh’s Lone Fight

Ghosh dominated the final overs with fearless batting. She struck sixes off de Klerk and Tryon, and collected multiple boundaries off Mlaba and Kapp. Her counterattack brought India back into the contest.

She entered the 90s with a sliced four over point and reached 94 before being caught at long-on. She reviewed for a no-ball, but replays showed it was just legal. South Africa’s double strike at the end of the innings proved crucial in limiting India’s total.

South Africa’s Rocky Start

Chasing the target, South Africa suffered a poor start at 81 for 5 in the 20th over. Tazmin Brits fell for her first-ever ODI duck after a stunning reflex catch from Kranti Gaud. Sune Luus survived an lbw call but was dismissed soon after, while Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt tried to rebuild with a 39-run stand before Rana bowled Kapp with a brilliant delivery.

Anneke Bosch’s poor form continued, and Sinalo Jafta was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Shree Charani. At that stage, India appeared firmly in control.

Wolvaardt and Tryon Build Resistance

Laura Wolvaardt stood firm, reaching her fifty off 81 balls. Chloe Tryon joined her at the crease and, despite struggling initially, found her rhythm. Their 61-run stand kept South Africa alive until Gaud returned and bowled Wolvaardt with a full, straight delivery.

Tryon and de Klerk then added 69 runs together. However, when Tryon was dismissed after battling a calf injury, South Africa still needed 41 runs off 25 balls — a situation that demanded something special.

De Klerk Turns the Game

From that point, de Klerk took charge. She smashed 39 runs off her next 15 balls, hitting boundaries and sixes at will. Her clean hitting against Rana and Gaud changed the game’s course. She struck back-to-back sixes — the first bringing up her fifty — and added more boundaries to bring South Africa within touching distance.

As tension built, she calmly managed the chase. With 23 needed off 18 balls, de Klerk kept strike smartly and struck two fours off Deepti Sharma. Then, with 12 needed off 12, she finished the game in style with two towering sixes over midwicket and long-on. South Africa’s small fan section erupted in joy as they celebrated a historic win.

Brief Scorecard