Semi Final Spot Beckons

South Africa overcame a dogged Sri Lankan team and a lengthy rain delay to go second in the table at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Chasing a revised total of 121 from 20 overs, Laura Wolvaardt (60 not out) and Tazmin Brits (55 not out) put on an unbeaten stand of 125 to seal a 10-wicket victory.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had made 105 for seven from their 20 overs, reaching 46 for two before a five-hour rain delay.

Upon the resumption, Vishmi Gunaratne top-scored, having retired hurt earlier in the innings, as she made 34.

Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, taking three wickets including two in the final over to keep the Sri Lankan total down.

With this win, South Africa now have eight points from five matches and need just one more to clinch a place in the top four.

Sri Lanka battle either side of rain delay

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, following their impressive performance with the bat last time out against New Zealand in a match that was washed out.

They were dealt an early blow when Vishmi Gunaratne retired hurt for 12 in the fifth over after she was caught on the inside of the knee by an errant throw from the field.

South Africa took their first wicket in the eighth over, Hasini Perera seeing her off stump removed by Masabata Klaas as she departed for four.

Klaas (2/18) then secured the prize wicket of Chamari Athapaththu leg before for 11, leaving Sri Lanka in trouble at 37 for two.

From there, two more overs of play were possible before the rain came down at the end of the 12th over with Sri Lanka on 46 for two.

Following a rain break of more than five hours, the players returned for what was now a 20-over game, with Kavisha Dilhari marking the return with a six over backward square.

She fell at the end of the following over, picking out Laura Wolvaardt off the bowling of Nadine de Klerk for 14.

The South African skipper made it two catches in as many balls when she snagged Harshitha Samarawickrama off the bowling of Nonkululeko Mlaba for 13 with the first ball of the following over.

Gunaratne had returned, joined by in-form Nilakshika Silva with the pair adding 40 for the fifth wicket.

Mlaba finished with a flourish though, removing both set batters in the final over as Silva was caught by Anneke Bosch for 18 and Gunaratne fell caught behind for 34 off the final delivery.

In between those, Anushka Sanjeewani was run out by replacement fielder Bosch for one as Sri Lanka finished on 105 for seven.

Set a target of 121, South Africa flew out of the blocks with Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits racing to a fifty partnership in the eighth over.

Brits survived a run-out chance and an LBW appeal in successive overs before the pair picked up the pace with the captain reaching her half-century in the 13th over.

Her opening partner followed suit and sealed the win with a six, bringing up her fifty in the process.

South Africa will now remain in Sri Lanka ahead of their clash with Pakistan, while the Sri Lankans take on Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai in India.

Sri Lanka v South Africa – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka 105/7 from 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 34, Nilakshika Silva 18; Nonkululeko Mlaba 3/30, Masabata Klaas 2/18)

South Africa 125/0 from 14.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 60 not out, Tazmin Brits 55 not out; Malki Madara 0/14, Sugandika Kumari 0/15)

Result: South Africa won by 10 wickets (DLS method).