South Africa rally to chase down 233 in a dramatic World Cup 2025 victory
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 produced another edge-of-the-seat moment in Visakhapatnam as Chloe Tryon and Marizanne Kapp combined to guide South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh had posted 232/6 after a brisk innings from 18-year-old Shorna Akter, who smashed the fastest fifty of the tournament off 34 balls. In reply, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 78/5, but the experienced duo of Tryon (62) and Kapp (56) steadied the ship and stitched a decisive partnership that swung the balance back in the Proteas’ favor.
Bangladesh’s solid start sets the stage, South Africa’s bowlers apply pressure
Having chosen to bat first, Bangladesh’s openers weathered swinging conditions early on. Fargana Hoque struck an ambitious boundary frenzy, including a clever shot off Masabata Klaas and a powerful pull that helped set the tone. The first fifty partnership arrived in the 16th over, but Tryon’s sharp fielding disrupted momentum when Rubya Haider was dismissed for 25.
South Africa’s bowlers then tightened the screws. Fargana Hoque fell for 30 to Mlaba, while Sharmin Akhter and captain Nigar Sultana Joty pushed the innings to 150 with 10 overs remaining. Joty looked set to accelerate, but Mlaba produced a vital breakthrough, trapping her in the covers for 32 and tipping the balance back toward the Proteas. Shorna Akter then arrived with a flurry of boundaries, but her partnership with Sharmin was cut short by a runout that left Bangladesh at 164/4.
Tryon and Kapp ignite South Africa, a late twist in the chase
Shorna’s arrival briefly offered a glimmer of late fireworks for Bangladesh, but the innings began to stall as Sobhana Mostary and Rabeya Khan fell cheaply. South Africa finally found a lifeline in the middle overs as Tryon and Kapp steadied the ship. Tryon’s 16th to 44th overs were a display of deft stroke play and resilience, and Kapp’s patient fifty anchored the chase as she dispatched Shorna for six to begin the 40th over.
By the time Kapp was eventually dismissed for 56, South Africa were 163/6, still needing 70 to win. Tryon, however, carried the charge with composure. She engineered a crucial 85-run stand with Kapp and then carried the running with a rapid array of boundaries. The momentum swung decisively in SA’s favor as the pair accumulated runs, but Tryon’s aggressive approach kept the chase alive even after Kapp fell to a miscued slog for 56.
Final surge, a dramatic finish as De Klerk seals the win
With Tryon on 62 and De Klerk at the crease, the Proteas needed 37 from six overs. Ritu Moni’s direct hit ended Tryon’s entertaining stay, but Nadine de Klerk remained calm under pressure. The unbroken partnership between De Klerk (37*) and Klaas allowed South Africa to chase down the target with three balls to spare. De Klerk’s composure, including a late match-winning six, sealed a dramatic comeback win and highlighted the depth of South Africa’s batting lineup.
Key takeaways
- South Africa’s mid-innings collapse was arrested by a measured counterpunch from Tryon and Kapp.
- Bangladesh showed intent with Shorna Akter’s sensational fifty, but crucial run-outs and precise bowling shifted momentum.
- The win keeps South Africa in contention in a tightly fought Women’s World Cup 2025, underscoring the importance of depth in batting and nerve under pressure.
As the tournament progresses, both sides will reflect on phases of this encounter: Bangladesh’s power-packed start and South Africa’s resilience in chase. The result adds another chapter to the evolving narrative of women’s cricket at the World Cup, where twists, breakthroughs, and late finishes continue to define the competition.
