South Africa cruise to a flawless win as WC 2025 action continues
South Africa’s women’s team continued their impressive run in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a rain-affected match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits steered the chase with clinical precision, ensuring the Proteas sealed their fourth consecutive win in the tournament, all by chasing targets. With eight points from five games, South Africa sit comfortably in second place on the standings, while Sri Lanka, still seeking their first win, dropped to three defeats in five matches.
Game summary: Sri Lanka’s innings and SA’s reply
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka were restricted to 105/7 in 20 overs due to a rain delay that trimmed the match to a 20-over contest. Nonkululeko Mlaba starred with the ball for South Africa, recording three crucial wickets to limit the scoreboard pressure on the hosts. Sri Lanka top-scored through Vishmi Gunarathne, who made 34 before being dismissed on the final ball of the innings, but the lower middle order failed to build momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
South Africa’s bowlers laid the foundation, and Mlaba capped her excellent spell by dismissing Gunarathne, ensuring Sri Lanka’s innings concluded without a substantial late surge. Earlier in the innings, at 46/2 after 12 overs, the match appeared evenly poised, but a middle-overs collapse prevented any big partnership from developing.
Wolvaardt and Brits light up the chase
The chase began with calm and intention. Wolvaardt and Brits gave South Africa a steady start, adding 25 runs in the powerplay as Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to break the opening stand. Once settled, the Proteas accelerated, shifting gears to seal the chase with 31 balls to spare. Wolvaardt registered her 37th ODI half-century, adding to her momentum this tournament with a second fifty in WC 2025. Brits, meanwhile, finished the match in style by reaching her fifty with a well-timed six off the final delivery, a fitting capstone to a controlled run-chase.
The rescue operation for Sri Lanka had its moments of resilience. Gunarathne anchored the innings after a shaky start and looked like she might engineer a late fight, but tight bowling and fielding discipline from South Africa kept Sri Lanka from regaining any significant momentum. The late dismissals in the chase’s closing overs, including a sharp run-out in the latter part of the innings, underscored Sri Lanka’s vulnerability under pressure.
Key performances and implications for WC 2025
For South Africa, the win highlights a blend of depth and consistency. Mlaba’s three-wicket haul in conjunction with a disciplined fielding effort typified what the Proteas need in tight games: pressure from the top, backed by a balanced bowling unit. The batting lineup answered the call, with Wolvaardt’s steady hand providing the platform for Brits to announce her finishing touches with authority.
As South Africa look ahead to their next assignment against Pakistan, the team’s confidence will be high. Colombo’s result keeps them in a favourable position on the points table and reinforces their reputation as one of WC 2025’s in-form sides, capable of chasing with aplomb and defending from the outset when required.
What’s next for the hosts and the tournament
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be seeking to turn their fortunes around in their forthcoming fixture against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai. The road to qualification remains challenging, but their home crowd will be hopeful for a stronger performance as the tournament progresses. The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues to offer high-quality cricket, with teams redefining strategies and showcasing emerging stars on the global stage.
Bottom line
South Africa’s seamless 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka demonstrated their finishing prowess and strategic depth, reinforcing their status as a serious contender in WC 2025. The tone has been set for a compelling phase of the tournament as the group stages advance.
