Proteas Women embracing the challenge of taking on Australia

The Proteas Women are relishing the challenge of facing defending champions Australia in their final league-phase encounter of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Indore on Saturday.

The eagerly anticipated clash will be held at the Holkar Stadium, with play scheduled to start at 3pm local time (11.30am SAST). The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201).

South Africa will be aiming to make history by finishing top of the round-robin standings for the first time, with a win against Australia ensuring a semi-final clash with fourth-placed India in Navi Mumbai on Thursday rather than a clash with England on Wednesday.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday evening, batter Anneke Bosch expressed her excitement ahead of what promises to be an enthralling contest.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to play against Australia and obviously we want to do well and hopefully finish top of the table.

“They’re a world-class team and really difficult to beat, as defending champions and they’ve been playing really good cricket over the whole tournament.

“It’s going to be a big challenge and a good contest but I think if we just play our best cricket, then the result will sort of take care of itself,” the 31-year-old commented.

Australia have historically had the edge in the head-to-head meetings between the two sides, holding the advantage in 16 encounters. South Africa’s only victory came in February 2024, when Marizanne Kapp starred with a brilliant all-round performance, scoring 75 runs and taking 3/12 in a memorable 75-run win.

The Proteas Women replicated that success in their most recent meeting, with Bosch delivering a Player of the Match performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai last year. Her unbeaten 74 off 48 balls powered South Africa to their second consecutive T20 World Cup final.

When asked what it takes to overcome a team of Australia’s calibre on the world stage, Bosch emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline and executing the fundamentals well.

“They are the best team in the world and it’s really difficult to beat them. You have to do the basics really well and the team that does the basics better for longer and stays in control of the game for the longer period of time will end up being successful against them.

“They always put the other team under pressure regardless of the situation. I think it’s just (about) doing the basics well and sticking to our skills and what we do well, applying ourselves and sticking to our game plans, then you’ll have the best chance,” Bosch added.

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)

Wednesday @ 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)