Proteas Women calm and excited ahead of historic World Cup final

Proteas Women captain, Laura Wolvaardt, expressed her side’s excitement at the prospect of playing in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final against hosts India on Sunday in Navi Mumbai.

The much-anticipated final will take place at the Dr DY Patil Stadium from 3pm local time (11.30am SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Ch. 201).

Speaking during the pre-match press conference on Saturday, Wolvaardt shared her thoughts ahead of the grand finale against India, where a new champion will be crowned.

“It’s going to be a very tough game. With the whole crowd behind India, probably a sold-out stadium, it’s going to be an exciting opportunity. But at the same time, I think it puts a lot of pressure on them as well. They have the whole country behind them and are sort of expected to win.

“I think it sort of plays in our favour, hopefully. We’re very excited for the game. They’re a very good side. We’re going to have to play some really good cricket to beat them but we’re really excited for the opportunity,” the 26-year-old added.

In what is South Africa’s maiden 50-over World Cup final, the Proteas Women will be up against an Indian side they have faced regularly in recent years.

Although India holds the upper hand in the overall One-Day International head-to-head record with 20 wins in 33 matches, their World Cup encounters tell a different story, with both sides having won three matches each in six meetings at the global showpiece.

In their most recent clash in this tournament, South Africa claimed a memorable three-wicket victory in Visakhapatnam last month, thanks to a heroic 54-ball 84 not out from Nadine de Klerk. When asked about the impact of that result ahead of the final, Wolvaardt was quick to stress that the team’s focus remains firmly on the present challenge.

“We’re trying not to think too much about the past at all. Like I said before, every cricket game starts at zero. We can’t sort of bring any of our history into this game, whether it be finals that we’ve lost or games that we’ve won against India. We’re just really trying to erase all of that stuff and start completely afresh in this game.

“There’s big pressure on both teams to perform and I think whoever stays the calmest under that pressure is going to most likely come out on top tomorrow,” the skipper continued.

With the Proteas Women on the brink of history, Wolvaardt also spoke about what a World Cup victory could mean for women’s cricket in South Africa.

“It would just be really special for women’s cricket in the country. We’ve recently got a (professional) domestic league introduced, so I can only imagine what something like a World Cup trophy would do back at home, just the amount of girls that will be able to see it on TV, that will be able to hear that we’re a World Cup-winning nation, is very inspirational.”

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 and Results - 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) - SA won by three wickets

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo) - SA won by 10 wickets (DLS)

Tuesday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo) - SA won by 150 runs (DLS)

Saturday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - Australia won by seven wickets

Wednesday @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 England v South Africa (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by 125 runs

Thursday @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 Australia v India (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai) - India win by five wickets

Sunday @ 11.30am - Final South Africa v India (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)