South Africa took a major step toward securing a World Cup semi-final place after winning their fourth chase of the tournament. The rain-affected game in Colombo turned into a shortened 20-over contest that felt more like a T20 match.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s semi-final chances are fading fast. With only two points from two washed-out matches and no wins yet, they must win their remaining two games and depend on other results to stay in contention.

Rain interrupts Sri Lanka’s innings

Sri Lanka decided to bat first but could only manage 46 for 2 in 12 overs before heavy rain stopped play. The delay lasted more than five hours. When the game resumed, Sri Lanka added 59 runs in the final eight overs but lost five wickets, finishing at 105 for 7.

South Africa’s bowlers adapt to changes

The revised playing conditions also disrupted South Africa’s bowling plans. Their senior seamers, Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas, completed their full quota of overs before the reduction, leaving no room for changes.

Two off-spinners, Sune Luus and Nondumiso Shangase, were included in the XI, but neither bowled. Instead, left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba stepped up with a wet ball and took 3 for 30, restricting Sri Lanka effectively after play resumed.

Klaas strikes early in Colombo

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka, confident after scoring over 250 against New Zealand, chose to bat again in home conditions. But South Africa began well through Klaas, who troubled Vishmi Gunaratne with movement both ways.

Gunaratne’s early innings took a painful turn when a throw struck her knee while completing a run. She was taken off the field for treatment but later returned to bat.

Athapaththu’s brief fight and the rain break

Captain Chamari Athapaththu took time to settle before striking a boundary off Kapp. However, Klaas dismissed Hasini Perera with a delivery that moved away sharply. Kapp nearly got Harshita Samarawickrama too, but the catch fell short.

Soon after, Athapaththu was trapped lbw by Klaas. She reviewed the decision, believing the impact was outside the line, but the umpire’s call stayed. Sri Lanka were 37 for 2 after 10 overs when rain halted play for over five hours.

Mlaba shines after restart

When the match resumed, Mlaba’s first ball went for six as Kavisha Dilhari attacked. But South Africa regained control quickly. Nadine de Klerk got Dilhari out, and Mlaba removed Samarawickrama soon after.

Gunaratne, returning bravely, hit a few fine boundaries to lift Sri Lanka’s total. Nilakshika de Silva also tried to accelerate, but South Africa dominated the final overs. Mlaba struck twice more, moving to second on the tournament wicket-takers’ list. De Silva holed out to deep midwicket, and Gunaratne edged behind to give young keeper Karabo Meso her first World Cup catch.

Wolvaardt and Brits power easy chase

In the chase, South Africa faced little difficulty. Laura Wolvaardt hit her second half-century of the tournament, while Tazmin Brits also scored fifty. Together, they guided South Africa to victory with 5.1 overs remaining.

Despite the comfortable win, South Africa’s net run rate is still negative because of their earlier loss to England.

Dominant opening stand seals win

In reply, Wolvaardt and Brits formed their best opening stand of the tournament. They handled early swing from Malki Madara with ease. Wolvaardt attacked confidently, while Brits, after two ducks in previous matches, took her time before smashing Inoka Ranaweera for a towering six.

Their fifty-run stand came in the eighth over. Wolvaardt’s classy cover drive off Athapaththu showed her control, while Brits survived an lbw review on 20 and then attacked Dilhari for 18 runs in one over.

Wolvaardt reached her fifty with a leg-side shot, and Brits followed suit, sealing victory with a six over midwicket.

Brief Scorecard