South Africa’s journey to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final has been a story of grit and redemption. After starting their campaign with a crushing defeat to England, few believed they would make it this far.
But under Laura Wolvaardt ’s calm leadership, the Proteas rebuilt themselves step by step, finding rhythm, resilience, and unity when it mattered most. Now, as they stand one win away from their first-ever World Cup crown, South Africa carry not just the weight of a dream, but the belief that this could finally be their moment.
Match-by-match journey:
Match 1: Lost to England by 10 wickets
It all began in disaster. Bowled out for just 69, South Africa suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat in under 21 overs. Sinalo Jafta ’s 22 was the top score in an otherwise miserable outing. The loss was a wake-up call for the Proteas, who looked out of rhythm and short on confidence.
Match 2: Beat New Zealand by six wickets
South Africa bounced back brilliantly. Nonkululeko Mlaba’s four wickets restricted New Zealand to 231, and Tazmin Brits struck a composed century in reply. Along with Sune Luus (83), she guided the team to a six-wicket victory that restored belief in the camp.
Match 3: Beat India by three wickets
A defining win. Chasing 252, South Africa showed nerves of steel. Wolvaardt’s 70 anchored the innings before Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 off 54 balls and Chloe Tryon’s 49 turned the game around. Tryon also starred with 3/32, sealing South Africa’s first major statement of intent.
Match 4: Beat Bangladesh by three wickets
In another tense chase, the Proteas recovered from 78/5 thanks to Marizanne Kapp (56) and Tryon (62). Nadine de Klerk again finished things off, unbeaten on 37, as South Africa chased 233 to continue their winning streak.
Match 5: Beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets (DLS)
Rain shortened the game to 20 overs a side, but South Africa were ruthless. Mlaba (3/30) and Klaas (2/18) limited Sri Lanka to 125/7 before Wolvaardt and Brits both hit fifties to finish the chase with ease.
Match 6: Beat Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS)
This was domination. Wolvaardt (90), Kapp (68), and Luus (61) powered South Africa to 312/9 in just 40 overs. Pakistan’s DLS chase of 306 fell flat as Kapp took 3/20 to seal a 150-run win and a spot in the semi-finals.
Match 7: Lost to Australia by seven wickets
Facing the world champions, South Africa collapsed to 97 all out after Alana King’s stunning 7/18. Despite a bright start with the ball, Australia’s experienced middle order sealed the chase comfortably. The Proteas finished third in the group but carried valuable lessons into the knockouts.
Semi-final: Beat England by 125 runs
Redemption complete. Batting first, Wolvaardt played a captain’s masterclass — a breathtaking 169 off 143 balls — as South Africa posted 319/7. England were blown away in reply, collapsing to 1/3 early on. Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul (5/20) destroyed the chase, sealing South Africa’s passage to their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.
Tomorrow’s final at the DY Patil Stadium is South Africa’s chance to make history. After years of heartbreak in ICC tournaments, Laura Wolvaardt’s team has found the perfect balance of belief and execution. Wolvaardt has led from the front with 470 runs, while Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul in the semifinal showed the strength of their bowling unit.
With Tazmin Brits anchoring the top order and Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk delivering with the ball, the Proteas look ready for the biggest challenge yet. For South Africa, this match is more than just a final. It is a shot at their first-ever World Cup title and a chance to turn years of promise into glory.
But under Laura Wolvaardt ’s calm leadership, the Proteas rebuilt themselves step by step, finding rhythm, resilience, and unity when it mattered most. Now, as they stand one win away from their first-ever World Cup crown, South Africa carry not just the weight of a dream, but the belief that this could finally be their moment.
Match-by-match journey:
Match 1: Lost to England by 10 wickets
It all began in disaster. Bowled out for just 69, South Africa suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat in under 21 overs. Sinalo Jafta ’s 22 was the top score in an otherwise miserable outing. The loss was a wake-up call for the Proteas, who looked out of rhythm and short on confidence.
Match 2: Beat New Zealand by six wickets
South Africa bounced back brilliantly. Nonkululeko Mlaba’s four wickets restricted New Zealand to 231, and Tazmin Brits struck a composed century in reply. Along with Sune Luus (83), she guided the team to a six-wicket victory that restored belief in the camp.
Match 3: Beat India by three wickets
A defining win. Chasing 252, South Africa showed nerves of steel. Wolvaardt’s 70 anchored the innings before Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 off 54 balls and Chloe Tryon’s 49 turned the game around. Tryon also starred with 3/32, sealing South Africa’s first major statement of intent.
Match 4: Beat Bangladesh by three wickets
In another tense chase, the Proteas recovered from 78/5 thanks to Marizanne Kapp (56) and Tryon (62). Nadine de Klerk again finished things off, unbeaten on 37, as South Africa chased 233 to continue their winning streak.
Match 5: Beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets (DLS)
Rain shortened the game to 20 overs a side, but South Africa were ruthless. Mlaba (3/30) and Klaas (2/18) limited Sri Lanka to 125/7 before Wolvaardt and Brits both hit fifties to finish the chase with ease.
Match 6: Beat Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS)
This was domination. Wolvaardt (90), Kapp (68), and Luus (61) powered South Africa to 312/9 in just 40 overs. Pakistan’s DLS chase of 306 fell flat as Kapp took 3/20 to seal a 150-run win and a spot in the semi-finals.
Match 7: Lost to Australia by seven wickets
Facing the world champions, South Africa collapsed to 97 all out after Alana King’s stunning 7/18. Despite a bright start with the ball, Australia’s experienced middle order sealed the chase comfortably. The Proteas finished third in the group but carried valuable lessons into the knockouts.
Semi-final: Beat England by 125 runs
Redemption complete. Batting first, Wolvaardt played a captain’s masterclass — a breathtaking 169 off 143 balls — as South Africa posted 319/7. England were blown away in reply, collapsing to 1/3 early on. Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul (5/20) destroyed the chase, sealing South Africa’s passage to their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.
Tomorrow’s final at the DY Patil Stadium is South Africa’s chance to make history. After years of heartbreak in ICC tournaments, Laura Wolvaardt’s team has found the perfect balance of belief and execution. Wolvaardt has led from the front with 470 runs, while Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul in the semifinal showed the strength of their bowling unit.
With Tazmin Brits anchoring the top order and Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk delivering with the ball, the Proteas look ready for the biggest challenge yet. For South Africa, this match is more than just a final. It is a shot at their first-ever World Cup title and a chance to turn years of promise into glory.
You may also like
Sequel to huge action film fans say is 'one of the greats' on ITV today
I didn't realise how naive I was to join Tottenham - I became a victim of one Chelsea boss
Strictly Come Dancing star Katya Jones secret texts from celebrity partner
'This 9-2 chance can win first time out' - Saturday racing tips for Wetherby and Ascot
Liam Neeson's 'underrated' heist film hailed 'awesome' by fans on Channel 4 tonight
