England Women crushed South Africa by 10 wickets in the 4th match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in Guwahati. South Africa Women were bowled out for just 69 in 20.4 overs, with their batting lineup dismantled by Linsey Smith (3/7 in 4 overs), Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/5 in 3 overs), and Charlie Dean (2/14 in 3.4 overs). The trio shared seven wickets while conceding only 26 runs in 10.4 overs. Sinalo Jafta was the only South African batter to reach double figures.

England chased the small target in just 14.1 overs to seal a dominant 10-wicket win. The entire match lasted only 34.5 overs—shorter than a full T20 game. With this victory, England’s net run rate surged to 3.773, more than double that of Australia, placing them firmly at the top of the standings.

South Africa Collapse Under Spin and Pace

The surface at Bay Oval offered little help to bowlers, yet South Africa collapsed against a smart England attack. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith surprised them with the new ball in her first ODI World Cup match. She dismissed Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp, becoming the first bowler to remove all three in the same innings.

At the other end, Lauren Bell and Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled tight lengths and added three more wickets. Within 10.1 overs, South Africa were reduced to 38 for 6. Their hopes of reaching a respectable score vanished as they were dismissed for 70 in just 20.4 overs.

Sinalo Jafta, promoted to No. 6, was the only batter to cross double figures. The rest struggled with footwork and poor shot selection. Critics may question the team’s decision to leave out Annerie Dercksen, who had scored a century in Sri Lanka earlier this year, as South Africa relied heavily on allrounders.

Key Moments of the Collapse

South Africa started confidently. Wolvaardt’s square drive and Brits’ boundary off Bell made the first over cost nine runs. But Smith turned the game in the very next over. Wolvaardt mistimed a shot and gave a return catch. Soon after, Brits was bowled through the bat-pad gap.

Sune Luus came in at No. 3 but was undone by a Bell inswinger that hit off stump. Kapp soon followed, bowled by Smith. By then, the top four were back in the pavilion with little resistance.

There were brief moments of fight. Jafta drove Bell for a boundary, while Anneke Bosch hit a crisp cover drive. But these were rare as England dominated.

Sciver-Brunt struck immediately after coming into the attack. Bosch missed a sweep and was trapped lbw. Next over, Chloe Tryon’s leading edge went straight to Alice Capsey. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean finished off the lower order. Jafta, despite reaching double figures, had no support and was eventually bowled by Ecclestone.

England Finish the Job

Chasing 71 was a formality. South Africa tried to delay the inevitable as Kapp bowled with discipline, beating the bat on multiple occasions. They even reviewed an lbw appeal against Tammy Beaumont, but it was missing.

Beaumont and Amy Jones batted patiently at first, reaching 39 without loss in the powerplay. After that, they attacked. Jones struck boundaries against Nonkululekho Mlaba and Masabata Klaas, showing her aggressive intent. She was dropped once but continued to score freely.

Beaumont sealed the win with a boundary, as England completed the chase in 14.1 overs.

Past Memories and Future Implications

This heavy defeat echoed South Africa’s past struggles against England. In the 2013 World Cup in India, they were bowled out for 77 at Cuttack. Back then, Charlotte Edwards—now England’s head coach—opened the batting, while Kapp and Tryon were already part of South Africa’s side.

Today’s result puts England firmly in control of their World Cup campaign, while South Africa will have to regroup quickly to keep their hopes alive.

Brief Scorecard