South Africa looks to continue its upward momentum at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on Thursday with the daunting task of facing joint hosts India in Visakhapatnam in their third tournament game.
Here is a look ahead to the contest.
South Africa VS India Venue: ACA-VDC Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
South Africa VS India Date: Thursday, October 9
History
South Africa has had one of the more challenging starts to group play in this World Cup. The Proteas opened their campaign against England, a team South Africa rarely beats.
Even so, the manner of the defeat against England was disappointing. The Proteas were bowled out for just 69 runs in the 20th over. England made light work of the chase, clearing the Proteas’ total without losing a wicket in 14.1 overs.
It is often said in sports that a team’s true mark is how it reacts to defeat. If this is true, South Africa still has a chance to make some noise at this World Cup.
Laura Wolvaardt passed 7,000 runs in international cricket in the contest, in which South Africa was set a target of 231 to win by New Zealand. The batting was on point, Tazmin Brits top-scoring with 101, as the Proteas finished 234/4 and picked up two points.
India is one of three undefeated teams left in the competition, along with England and Australia. With a win here, they can go top of the log and move to six points after taking down Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their opening two games.
South Africa
Brits will need to be on it again for South Africa on Thursday. She has scored five centuries this calendar year, the most of any player in the World Cup.
India
India’s strength is that there are runs all over their batting lineup. While the opening pair of Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana do plenty of the heavy lifting, this tournament has seen half-centuries from their sixth and eighth batters at the crease.
Amanjot Kaur will be available again for India after missing the Pakistan match due to illness. She will have to practice well, though, as replacement Renuka Singh was very good with the ball in that contest.
Best Bets
South Africa will have to get one of the Indian openers out early and carry that momentum into the meat of their order if they are to spring a surprise here.
The wicket is not used often, with Visakhapatnam last hosting a women’s ODI in 2014.
Form is definitely on India’s side. They have won the last five ODIs between these two countries, three in India last year and two in Sri Lanka, which were played as warmups for this tournament.
Muggy weather is expected, so spin will continue to be the biggest factor in bowling at this World Cup.
Brits is 13/2 to be the best with the bat. Making her sixth favorite seems outrageous, given how good she was last time out. Mandhana feels due a high score. The prolific Indian opener hasn’t been great in this tournament, but it is only a matter of time. She is 16/5 if you fancy this to be her breakout performance.
