South Africa Women crushed Pakistan Women by 150 runs via the DLS method in the 22nd match of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 at Colombo. After Pakistan Women invited them to bat first, South Africa Women posted 312/9 in 40 overs following the reduction of overs to 40 per innings. Laura Wolvaardt played a superb knock but missed her century by 10 runs. Sune Luus also played a composed half-century. Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk delivered blazing innings that helped South Africa achieve their highest-ever World Cup total.

While chasing, rain worsened conditions, and Pakistan Women were set a revised target of 234 in 20 overs. Pakistan fell short by a huge margin. Marizanne Kapp’s devastating new-ball spell of 3/20 dismantled Pakistan’s top order. Her all-round performance helped South Africa Women secure a dominant 150-run victory. Sidra Nawaz remained Pakistan’s highest scorer.

Despite heavy rain and interruptions, the ground staff worked tirelessly to make a result possible. Their efforts ensured South Africa’s fifth consecutive win, keeping them at the top of the points table with one game remaining against Australia in Indore.

From a Tough Start to Total Dominance

This win marked an incredible turnaround for South Africa. Just three weeks earlier, they suffered a humiliating defeat against England in Guwahati, bowled out for only 69 runs. Since then, the team has regrouped and played with determination and flair.

The rain-threatened match in Colombo could easily have ended in a washout, which would have forced South Africa to share points. That scenario would have pushed them to third place behind Australia and England on net run rate. Thankfully, they managed to complete 20 overs in the second innings, ensuring a result.

South Africa’s Record-Breaking Innings

After losing over two hours to rain, the match was reduced to 40 overs per side. South Africa made full use of the opportunity, posting a massive 312 for 9. Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a classy 90, while Sune Luus contributed a solid half-century. Together, they built a 118-run stand for the second wicket off just 92 balls, laying the perfect foundation for a big total.

Kapp’s fluent 68 not out and Nadine de Klerk’s explosive cameo of 41 off 16 balls gave South Africa a fiery finish. They hammered 72 runs in the last five overs and smashed 11 sixes — the most by any team in a single World Cup innings. Kapp and de Klerk alone struck seven of them, showcasing their fearless batting on a tricky surface.

Wolvaardt and Luus Lead the Charge

South Africa overcame early trouble after opener Tazmin Brits fell for a third consecutive duck. Captain Laura Wolvaardt looked in top form from the start, confidently attacking the bowlers to nullify early swing.

Sune Luus took some time to settle but unleashed a flurry of strokes after hitting a six off spinner Sadia Iqbal. She reached her 17th ODI fifty with a reverse sweep, adding crucial momentum. After Luus’s dismissal, Wolvaardt continued to dominate, bringing up her half-century off just 42 balls.

She mixed power and placement beautifully, hitting over extra cover when bowlers targeted the stumps and finding the gaps between long-on and deep midwicket when they went leg side.

Kapp and de Klerk Finish in Style

After Luus and Annerie Dercksen’s quick dismissals, Kapp and Wolvaardt added a brisk 64-run stand. Wolvaardt fell just short of a hundred, stumped off a turning delivery from Nashra Sandhu, but Kapp ensured the innings ended on a high.

With Nadine de Klerk, she launched an aggressive assault in the final overs, tearing apart Pakistan’s bowlers. Their partnership took South Africa to an unbeatable position — one that set up another memorable win.

Pakistan’s Chase Falls Apart

Pakistan’s reply never got going. Chasing a revised DLS target of 306, they collapsed early under pressure from Kapp’s lethal spell. The top order was reduced to 35 for 4 in just 10 overs.

Muneeba Ali’s mistimed shot gave Ayabonga Khaka the first breakthrough. Then Kapp took charge — she trapped Omaima Sohail lbw with a sharp nip-backer and drew edges from Sidra Amin and Aliya Riyaz with perfect outswingers. Her figures at that point — 3 wickets for 20 runs in 5 overs — summed up her dominance.

Rain interrupted play again, and when the match resumed, Pakistan faced an impossible target of 234 from just 20 overs. South Africa’s spinners tightened the grip, restricting Pakistan to 83 for 7. As a result, Pakistan lost the match by 150 runs.

Brief Scorecard