South Africa secured a 150-run (DLS) victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash on Tuesday, moving to the top of the points table and eliminating their opponents from the tournament. Frequent rain at the R. Premadasa Stadium shortened the match, but South Africa's batting and disciplined bowling ensured the weather would not deny them a fifth consecutive win.
Initially reduced to a 40-over-a-side contest, South Africa was put in to bat and amassed a formidable 312 for 9. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led the charge with 90 runs off 82 balls, sharing a 118-run second-wicket partnership with Sune Luus, 61. This followed an early setback as opener Tazmin Brits was dismissed for her third duck of the tournament.
Marizanne Kapp continued the assault, scoring 68 off 43 balls, before Nadine de Klerk provided a stunning late blitz. De Klerk hammered 41 runs from just 16 balls, pushing South Africa past the 300-run mark as 72 runs were scored in the final five overs. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with captain Fatima Sana conceding 69 runs in eight overs.
Kapp, who excelled with the bat, then dismantled Pakistan's top order. She claimed three wickets in her opening spell, including a double-strike over, as Pakistan crumbled to 35 for 4 inside 10 overs. Multiple rain interruptions further derailed the chase, with Pakistan eventually facing a revised DLS target of 234 in 20 overs; a task that proved impossible as they finished on 83 for 7.
Reflecting on the batting performance, Kapp said, "It was a beautiful wicket to bat on. A bit annoyed we didn't get to bat the full 50 overs. We had a lot of fun out there. Wolvaardt and Sune set a beautiful platform for us and made our jobs easier." Despite her match-winning bowling, she remained self-critical: "I didn't bowl too well. Wasn't happy with my bowling. Felt I bowled better in the last few games but lucky to get three wickets."
