South Africa overcame a rain delay and a challenging Sri Lankan bowling unit to clinch a crucial 10-wicket victory in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. After a delay of more than five hours at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the match was reduced to a 20-over-a-side contest, where South Africa successfully chased down a DLS-adjusted target of 121 with 31 balls to spare.
The chase was anchored by an unbeaten 125-run partnership from openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. The captain, Wolvaardt, set the pace, finishing 60 not out from 47 balls. Brits, who had entered the match following consecutive ducks, regained her form, scoring 55 not out from 42 balls. She sealed the victory in style, hitting a six over deep midwicket, which also brought up her half-century.
South Africa’s bowlers had earlier restricted Sri Lanka to 105 for seven in their 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers, 3/30, doing significant damage in the final over. Mlaba claimed three wickets in four balls, including two catches and a sharp run-out effected by substitute fielder Anneke Bosch, derailing Sri Lanka's late attempt to accelerate.
Masabata Klaas, 2/18, set the tone before the rain interruption, removing Hasini Perera and the wicket of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu. Sri Lanka’s top scorer was Vishmi Gunaratne, who posted 34 runs. Gunaratne had earlier been stretchered off the field with a knee injury after being hit by a throw, but returned to the crease after the delay to help build a 40-run stand with Nilakshika Silva, 18.
The victory marks South Africa's fourth consecutive win, clearing out being bowled out for 69 by England in their tournament opener. Now second in the standings with eight points from five matches, South Africa is on the verge of securing a semi-final berth. Conversely, Sri Lanka remains winless, with their only two points coming from washed-out matches, leaving their hopes of advancing slim.
