Proteas Women thrashed in World Cup opener

England secured a 10-wicket triumph over the Proteas Women in their opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Guwahati on Friday.

The Proteas were bowled out for 69 after 20.4 overs before England recorded a straightforward chase within 14.1 overs to secure the victory.

After losing out at the toss and being sent in to bat, South Africa got off to a shaky start as the top-order fell to Linsey Smith (3/7) and Lauren Bell (1/24) in the first four overs.

With the score 12/3, the slide continued for the Proteas as Smith, Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/5) and Sophie Ecclestone (2/19) ripped through the middle-order to reduce South Africa to 38/6 in the 11th over.

Despite a valiant knock from Sinalo Jafta (22), the Proteas could not recover. Further contributions with the ball from Charlie Dean (2/14), alongside Sciver-Brunt and Ecclestone, wrapped up the innings on 69 all out.

South Africa were left reeling early on after Smith spun a web around their top order. Smith struck first by dismissing skipper Laura Wolvaardt, followed by Tazmin Brits. Bell stuck in the next over, knocking over Sune Luus to deepen the collapse.

Smith returned to claim her third, sending Marizanne Kapp’s stumps flying and the England skipper removed Anneke Bosch soon after, leaving South Africa in tatters early on, as they lost half their side within the PowerPlay.

Sciver-Brunt kept the pressure on after the PowerPlay, striking with her very first ball to remove Chloe Tryon. Ecclestone and Dean then ran through the lower order, sharing the last four wickets between them. Ecclestone struck first by removing Nadine de Klerk, before Dean opened her account by claiming Masabata Klaas' wicket.

In their defence of the modest total, South Africa found no luck with ball in hand as the English openers, Tammy Beaumont (21*) and Amy Jones (40*), reached the end of the PowerPlay on 39/0.

The pair walked out knowing the target was well within reach after England produced a strong bowling display to dismiss South Africa for their third-lowest ODI total and their second-lowest ever in a World Cup match.

The pair then brought up their 50-run stand in the 12th over before sealing victory with 35.5 overs to spare.

The Proteas Women’s next assignment will take them to the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, where they will face New Zealand on Monday.

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)

Thursday @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Monday, 13 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday, 17 October @ 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)