Proteas Women aren't underestimating Bangladesh

Seamer Tumi Sekhukhune has emphasised the Proteas Women’s focus ahead of their fourth ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 encounter against Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

The contest will get underway at 3pm local time (11.30am SAST) at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Cricket (Ch. 212).

South Africa bounced back emphatically from their opening defeat to England, securing crucial victories over New Zealand and hosts India to climb into the semi-final positions with four matches remaining in the league phase.

Speaking ahead of the important clash against the Tigresses, Sekhukhune made it clear that despite the positive atmosphere in the Proteas camp following their recent performances, the team remains grounded and fully determined to face the challenges ahead.

“The team is super excited. We're looking forward to all these other games. We take the win (against India) but we don't want to dwell on the win; we want to focus on the other matches, as they are as important as the ones that we played,” she noted.

When it comes to the head-to-head record between the two sides, South Africa have won 18 of their 21 encounters against Bangladesh, including a 2-1 One-Day International series victory during the Tigresses’ last white-ball tour to South Africa in December 2023.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match, Sekhukhune acknowledged the threat posed by Bangladesh, particularly in subcontinental conditions.

“It's going to be a very tough game for us against Bangladesh. We know that they're going to come with more slow bowlers, typically the spinners. We said as a team that we want to take it one step at a time, one ball at a time. We just want to keep ticking all the boxes that we know we didn't do well in the previous games.

“If we do that, then hopefully we'll come out on the better side,” the right-arm pace bowler added.

Sekhukhune featured for the first time in this year’s World Cup during South Africa’s dramatic win over India, returning figures of 1/27 in seven overs, finishing as the side’s second-most economical bowler behind Chloé Tryon’s return of 3/32 from 10 overs.

Reflecting on her role within the bowling attack, the 26-year-old praised the strength and experience of her teammates, highlighting how it allows her to bowl to her strengths.

“It's very nice to play with such exceptional bowlers. They have so much experience. With me coming in, I just want to restrict the runs. I don't want to focus much on getting wickets. I just want to come in, do what I can do and be consistent in bowling my lines and lengths.

“And yeah, if I do pick up wickets here and there, then it's a win for me but mostly it's to restrict the runs,” she concluded.

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase and Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit

Management

Mandla Mashimbyi (Head Coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (Team Manager), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Baakier Abrahams (Batting Coach), Dillon du Preez (Bowling Coach), Bongani Ndaba (Fielding Coach), Zane Webster (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Abram Ramoadi (Performance Analyst), Neline Hoffman-Kellerman (Physiotherapist), Dr Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (Team Doctor), Happiness Mesi (Logistics and Massage Therapist), Lita Gqirana (Media Manager) and Zahid Shaik (Close Protection Officer).

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati) - England won by 10 wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - SA won by six wickets

Thursday @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 2 November @ 11.30am - Final (TBC)