England Hand Proteas Women Heavy Defeat in World Cup Opener

Friday, 03 October 2025

GUWAHATI – The Proteas Women endured a tough start to their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 campaign, falling to a 10-wicket loss against England in Guwahati on Friday.

South Africa, sent in to bat after losing the toss, struggled to build momentum and were dismissed for just 69 runs in 20.4 overs. England then completed the chase comfortably inside 14.1 overs, sealing victory with 35.5 overs to spare.

Early Collapse

The Proteas top order was rattled almost immediately. Linsey Smith (3/7) and Lauren Bell (1/24) dismantled the opening line-up within the first four overs, leaving South Africa reeling at 12/3.

Any hopes of a recovery were short-lived as Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/5) and Sophie Ecclestone (2/19) continued the assault, reducing the side to 38/6 by the 11th over.

Jafta Fights Back

Wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta showed resilience with a battling 22, the highest score of the innings. However, with support lacking at the other end, England continued to pick up wickets. Charlie Dean (2/14) added further pressure alongside Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone as South Africa were eventually bundled out for 69.

England’s Openers Untroubled

Defending a modest total, South Africa’s bowlers were unable to make early inroads. Tammy Beaumont (21*) and Amy Jones (40*) kept England in complete control, reaching 39/0 by the end of the powerplay. The pair went on to raise their fifty-run stand in the 12th over before wrapping up the result without losing a wicket.

Next Challenge

The Proteas will now turn their focus to their second group match against New Zealand on Monday, 06 October at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

South Africa Squad – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans)
Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans)
Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions)
Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers)
Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions)
Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions)
Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans)
Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
Karabo Meso (DP World Lions)
Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Travelling Reserve: Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans)

Fixtures – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (All times SAST)

Mon, 06 Oct – 11h30: South Africa vs New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)
Thu, 09 Oct – 11h30: South Africa vs India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)
Mon, 13 Oct – 11h30: South Africa vs Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)
Fri, 17 Oct – 11h30: South Africa vs Sri Lanka (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
Tue, 21 Oct – 11h30: South Africa vs Pakistan (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
Sat, 25 Oct – 11h30: South Africa vs Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)
Wed, 29 Oct – 11h30: Semi-final 1 (TBC)
Thu, 30 Oct – 11h30: Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)
Sun, 02 Nov – 11h30: Final (TBC)