Saturday sees South Africa and India face off in the final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. It is a final few saw coming, with South Africa finishing third on the log and India fourth entering the semi-finals.
The first shock saw the Proteas dispatch much-fancied England on Wednesday, but Thursday’s epic run chase by India as they took down undefeated Australia was nothing more than captivating viewing.
It sets up a final that could go either way, with two teams that have impressed in the competition fighting it out for the ultimate prize.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
India VS South Africa Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
India VS South Africa Date: Sunday, November 2
India VS South Africa Odds:
History
India had no business beating Australia. It took a record-breaking chase to do so, with hero Jemimah Rofrigues feeding off the enthusiasm of the crowd to will her nation to victory.
Rodrigues hit 127 off 134 deliveries, but it was not an innings without incident. She was dropped twice, most notably when she was on 82 when Aussie wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy put down a gimme that was falling from the heavens after Rodriguez mistimed her shot.
A new World Cup winner will be crowned on Saturday. This is India’s third final, with the team having lost to Australia in 2005 and England in 2017. This will be the first final for South Africa, with the Proteas having been knocking on the door as semi-final losers in recent events.
The winner will become the fourth team to win the Women’s ODI World Cup, joining Australia, England, and New Zealand.
India
Is this the match where Indian opener Smriti Mandhana breaks out of a tournament-long drop in form? Mandhana usually leads from the front for India, but she has relied on her teammates to help her. She is a quality operator, so it wouldn’t be a shock if she played her best cricket of the World Cup in the final.
South Africa
Marizanne Kapp has been brilliant in this World Cup. The all-rounder has had one of those tournaments where she can seemingly pull out an outstanding display with the bat or the ball whenever the Proteas need it most. She has 12 wickets in the competition and will be expected to provide more on Sunday.
Best Bets
Can India rally to go again?
It is a question worth asking, given that the hosts put so much into their win over Australia, both physically and emotionally. The crowd will be there for them, and the Indian players will look to channel the passion from the stands into one last push for glory.
Nadine de Klerk was the player of the match in the group stage clash. She was not out for 84 with the bat and took two wickets with the ball. She is 23/1 to receive that honor in the final.
If you think South Africa will win, as I do, then the talismanic Laura Wolvaardt at 12/1 has to be worth a gamble. With 470 runs, she is the leading scorer this World Cup. Kapp is 29/2 and if she gets in her groove, she would also have a shot at this prize.
