Could it be third time lucky for South Africa’s women’s team at the T20 World Cup?

After reaching the last two tournament finals, they will be aiming to go one better in England this winter and become the first senior side to lift a white-ball World Cup.

If signs are anything to go by, there is at least one pointing in their favour: the final takes place at Lord’s, where the men’s team lifted the World Test Championship mace last June.

Tournaments are not won as much by fate as form and South Africa have had a mixed bag recently. After beating Ireland and Pakistan at home, they lost to New Zealand away before hosting India and results aside, they are well-prepped for the event.

They will be led by Laura Wolvaardt, who has been the leading runscorer in the last two editions of the tournament, and has a wealth of experience surrounding her.

Former captain Dane van Niekerk is back in the mix while allrounder Marizanne Kapp, who has played in every edition of the tournament, has vowed not to give up the international game until South Africa win a major trophy.

With Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta and Ayabonga Khaka all in the ranks, South Africa have the personnel to go all the way.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

As the women’s game continues to grow, the T20 World Cup has been expanded from 10 teams to 12.

Expect all the usual suspects plus first-timers Netherlands, whose men’s team have been regulars at global tournaments for several editions.

The teams are divided into two groups of six and the top two in each pool will advance to the semi-finals.

PLAYERS TO WATCH – SOUTH AFRICA

After leading South Africa’s Under-19 side to the age-group World Cup final in 2025, Kayla Reyneke’s stocks have risen fast.

A powerful middle-order finisher and handy off-spinner, she made her senior international debut in a T20 international in February and promptly earned two player of the match performances in her first four matches.

Reyneke then went on to bat South Africa to victory in her first ODI, where she needed to hit a six! the final ball against New Zealand, and did.

Early in her career, she has shown herself to be a clean striker of the ball with a temperament as cool as ice and her decision to forgo a career as a javelin thrower appears to have been the right one.

Reyneke was the South African Under-15 javelin champion while at Bellville High.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba took 12 wickets at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE, which was the most by a South African in a single edition of the tournament and fourth highest overall.

While conditions in England will be different to the spinner-friendly venues in the Middle Eastern desert, Mlaba has shown herself to be adaptable thanks to changes in pace and her natural ability to turn the ball more than most.

She has been ranked among the ICC’s top 10 T20I bowlers for several years and has been listed as high as second, which speaks to her immense value.

Mlaba’s energy, passion and desire to perform for the team makes her the complete package and rounds of a South African attack that has every variety of spinner and a strong pace contingent.

PLAYERS TO WATCH – BEST OF THE REST

At 38 years old, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates shows absolutely no signs of stopping as she continues to dominate this format.

Bates is the leading runscorer in women’s T20Is and could become the first to reach 5 000 runs at this tournament. Bates has moved from opening the batting to the middle order as New Zealand plan for the future.

Since Shabnim Ismail, the women’s
game has lacked an out-and-out
quick but India’s Kranti Gaud seems
set to step into the role.

She rose to prominence through the WPL, India’s franchise T20 tournament, and has since played across all formats at international level.

In June 2025, at the age of 21, she became the youngest Indian bowler to take five wickets or more in an ODI when she claimed 6 for 52 against England.

She was part of the Indian team that beat South Africa in the final of last year’s ODI World Cup and will hope to make an impact on her first T20 tournament.

It is rare to have a women’s associate cricketer make a career in a Full Member set-up but Netherlands’ Sterre Kalis (no relation to South Africa’s Jacques Kallis) has done exactly that.

A regular in England, Kalis has played for two franchises in the Hundred and has vast experience of conditions and opposition in the country.

No Dutch female player has more T20I runs or fifties than her, which makes her a key cog in their campaign.

GROUP 1

Six-time champions Australia have been proved beatable by none other than South Africa, who knocked them out of the last edition in the semifinals. Without Alyssa Healy, who retired earlier this year, they appear to be in a transition phase and their reputation as serial winners is at risk. South Africa and India are the two likeliest challengers in a group that also includes Pakistan, Bangladesh and Netherlands.

GROUP 2

Defending champions New Zealand headline this group and they are joined by the hosts, England as well as 2016 champions West Indies. All three have a good chance of progressing to the knockouts but will not have it easy against strong opposition. Sri Lanka, who narrowly missed out on the ODI World Cup semifinals, Ireland and Scotland make up the rest of the pool.

VENUES

Matches will be played at seven venues that stretch across England, from Leeds in the north to Southampton on the opposite side. In between, teams will travel through Manchester, Birmingham and London. Both the Oval and Lord’s are host venues and finals week will take place entirely in London with the semi-finals being played at the Oval and the final at Lord’s. This is the second time Lord’s will stage a Women’s World Cup final after a breakthrough, sell-out event at the ODI World Cup in 2017.

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The South African skipper hit up a score of 101 runs but it was not enough to get her side over the final, as India secured a 52-run win to lift the World Cup trophy.

The 26-year-old made history at the World Cup after she made the most runs ever at the World Cup with 571 runs.

Wolvaardt says they will not dwell on the past and take positives away, despite falling short at the final hurdle.

“I think it’s been a great campaign for us – to make it all the way to the final is really awesome,” said Wolvaardt.

“I think we’ll still look back at this tournament as a lot of positives as we’ve played some really good cricket throughout this tournament.

“At one stage we won five games in a row or something like that, which is pretty big for our group.

“Just searching for that consistency which is something that we don’t necessarily have in bilaterals. So really proud that we’re able to perform in, in big tournaments.”

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WATCH: India Women vs Proteas Women

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South Africa won the toss and opted to field, sending India to bat first in front of their home crowd.

The likes of Smriti Mandhana (45), Shafali Verma (87), Deepti Sharma (58), and Richa Ghosh (38) played a starting role as India hit up a score of 298.

With South Africa chasing a run chase of 299 from 50 overs, Laura Wolvaardt continued her fine form for the Proteas by hitting a score of 101 from 98 balls, while Tazmin Brits made 23, Sune Luus hit 25 and Annerie Dercksen smashed 35.

However, Wolvaardt’s efforts were in vain as South Africa were bowled out for 246 runs as India went on to win their first World Cup title.

More to follow…

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South Africa’s commanding victory over Pakistan Women saw them claim five straight wins in the World Cup.

With the win, the Proteas Women move up to first place on the log with 10 points, with one game remaining.

South Africa will play second-placed Australia Women in their final match on Saturday at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

WATCH: South Africa vs Pakistan

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South Africa have now claimed four wins in four matches at the World Cup since their opening defeat to England.

The Proteas cruised to a comfortable 121 victory target with 31 balls remaining thanks to a brilliant performance by Laura Wolvaardt (60) and Tazmin Brits (55).

The win sees South Africa move up to second place on the log standings with eight points, a point behind leaders Australia, who have already qualified for the next round.

WATCH: Proteas Women vs Sri Lanka Women

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South Africa will come into this on a three-game unbeaten run since their defeat to England Women in their World Cup opener on 3 October.

The Proteas go into this encounter sitting in third place in the standings with six points from four games, level on points with second-placed England and a point behind log leaders Australia.

But who will be the Proteas’ standout performer on the day?

Laura Wolvaardt

1) England Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 5
Balls: 5
Fours: 1
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

2) New Zealand Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 14
Balls: 10
Fours: 3
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

3) India Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 70
Balls: 111
Fours: 8
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

4) Proteas Women vs Bangladesh Women
Runs: 31
Balls: 56
Fours: 5
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

Nadine de Klerk

1) England Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 3
Balls: 11
Fours: 0
Sixes:
Wickets: 0

2) New Zealand Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 0
Balls: 0
Fours: 0
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 1

3) India Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 84
Balls: 54
Fours: 8
Sixes: 5
Wickets: 2

4) Proteas Women vs Bangladesh Women
Runs: 37
Balls: 29
Fours: 4
Sixes: 1
Wickets: 1

Tazmin Brits

1) England Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 5
Balls: 7
Fours: 1
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

2) New Zealand Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 101
Balls: 89
Fours: 15
Sixes: 1
Wickets: 0

3) India Women vs Proteas Women
Runs: 0
Balls: 3
Fours: 0
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

4) Proteas Women vs Bangladesh Women
Runs: 0
Balls: 1
Fours: 0
Sixes: 0
Wickets: 0

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South Africa have gained momentum at the World Cup and are high in confidence heading into their next match against Sri Lanka.

The Proteas come into this fixture sitting in third place on the table with six points from four games, a point behind log leader Australia.

Mandla Mashimbyi’s side will look to strengthen their push for a place in the knockout stages when they take on Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, looking for their fourth straight win.

The Proteas Women’s last Four Fixtures:

England Women vs Proteas Women (White Ferns won by 10 wickets)
New Zealand Women vs Proteas Women (South Africa won by six wickets)
India Women vs Proteas Women (South Africa won by three wickets)
Proteas Women vs Bangladesh Women – (South Africa won by three wickets)

The Proteas Women’s Remaining Fixtures:

Proteas Women vs Sri Lanka Women – Friday, 17 October 2025
Proteas Women vs Pakistan Women – Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Australia Women vs Proteas Women – Saturday, 25 October 2025

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This was South Africa’s third successive win at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, following their victory over Bangladesh at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

South Africa had to chase a score of 235 set by Bangladesh, but thanks to stellar performances by Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe-Lesleigh Tryon, and Nadine De Klerk, the Proteas completed the turnaround following a slow start to the match.

The Proteas will look to make it four straight wins when they take on Sri Lanka Women in their next encounter, set to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

The win saw South Africa move up to third place on the table with six points from four matches, a point behind log leaders Australia.

“The nerves are shot. That was a lot closer than we would have liked, but I am glad we got the points in the end,” Wolvaardt told SuperSport TV after the match.

“We tried to stay as patient as we could (in Bangladesh’s innings). We thought the slower bowlers were working quite well, so we tried to bowl the slowest bowlers that we had and really tried to stay patient and not leave the stumps.

“Kappie and Chloe were absolutely amazing (in the chase). It wasn’t the start that we would have wanted, lost wickets early, but that partnership got us back into the game and Nadine finished it again at the end there.”

The Proteas Women against Sri Lanka Women’s kicks off at 11:30 am on Friday.

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De Klerk was the hero as she posted an unbeaten score of 84 off 54 balls to secure the win for South Africa.

The Proteas Women have now moved up to fourth place on the table with four points, having won two games and conceded one defeat.

De Klerk was named as the Aramco Player of the Match for her exploits throughout the match.

“It got a bit more tricky when (Chloe) got out, but I guess it’s just about the belief and the character at the end of the day, and we just wanted to stick it out and fight really hard because we knew how important this game was for our team,” de Klerk told media post-game.

“Really glad we got over the line. I think the most important part is, and we’ve seen it in this World Cup, is you just have to stick it out. Doesn’t matter if you’re batting No.8 or No.9, (you just have to) give yourself a chance. I mean, Richa (Ghosh) did it today for India as well. Just try and bat time.”

“And I guess when it comes to the back 10 (overs), you can really start backing yourself and try and take the game on. And if it does come off, that 70 or 80 runs in the last 10 makes a massive difference in these totals. I think seam (bowling) was much easier on this wicket and I think even when we bowled the back end, we felt like it was a pretty good wicket.

“But I think their spinners bowled really well in that middle phase. So, I think especially in that back 10, we knew they’re going to have to bowl a few seamers and that was going to be the much easier option to take on.

“So, I think, like I said, we just played smart cricket. Me and Chloe just tried to take it really deep. We knew that if we had to get 40 of the last four and the two of us were still batting that we could get it. So, it was just about building that partnership, getting ourselves in and then taking especially the pacers down. And that was always the plan to try and take the pacers down. Which was much easier on that surface.

“We were pretty confident in chasing 250. I think we made it a bit harder for ourselves than we would have liked. But, like I said, there’s a lot of positives and glad we got over the line today.”

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