Nadine de Klerk powered South Africa to a stunning three-wicket victory over hosts India at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
De Klerk hit an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls to power South Africa home in their chase of 252.
It had looked unlikely when India reduced their opponents to 81 for 5 inside 20 overs but impressive innings from captain Laura Wolvaardt (70), Chloe Tryon (49), and De Klerk completed a thrilling run chase.
India looked well-placed for victory having set South Africa 252 to win, with Richa Ghosh top-scoring with 94.
But it ultimately proved not enough as the hosts fell to their first defeat of the tournament.
Ghosh leads India
After a delay to the start, South Africa put India into bat, but the hosts made good headway and emerged from the powerplay unscathed.
However, Nonkululeko Mlaba’s arrival into the attack saw her continue her fine form with a wicket from her second ball as Smriti Mandhana departed for 23.
Things got even better for Mlaba, as she bowled Harleen Deol with a beautiful turning delivery to leave India 83 for two in the 17th over.
Pratika Rawal was not able to reap the rewards her patient work had set up for her as she was caught on 37 for Tumi Sekhukhune’s first World Cup wicket.
Five balls later, Jemimah Rodrigues was given out LBW off Chloe Tryon to see India slip to 92 for four, and they were plunged deeper into trouble when captain Harmanpreet Kaur became Tryon’s second wicket.
Then, as Deepti Sharma returned to the dugout, India had lost four wickets for just 19 runs and with Kapp having claimed a dismissal, South Africa were fully fired up.
Ghosh led the rebuild for India before playing calmly before unleashing a 75m six to tip the momentum her way, only for Tryon to get her third wicket as Amanjot Kaur rushed a shot and was caught by Sune Luus, to end the partnership at 51 runs.
The right-hander remained at the crease as she powered her way to her first World Cup fifty, coming in 53 balls and then she and Sneh Rana chose the 47th over to go nuclear, taking 19 from Ayabonga Khaka.
The pressure was telling on South as Ghosh was dropped on 76 and 84, and relief finally came with an easy catch for Wolvaardt to dismiss Rana for 33 from 24 and end an 88-run stand.
Ghosh fell six runs short of her maiden ODI century, but her 94 runs from 77 brought India back from the brink in stunning fashion as they posted 252.
Wolvaardt’s effort in vain
South Africa started slowly but were rocked when Tamzin Brits, fresh from a hundred, was out for a duck, with Luus, having made 83 not out in the previous match, was caught behind for five to leave the Proteas 18 for two.
Wolvaardt and Kapp moved into a position of control, but the latter’s good work was undone by a peach from Rana as she went for 20.
Another quick wicket fell as Deepti Sharma became the second India bowler to take a caught and bowled to dismiss Anneke Bosch.
South Africa were now losing regular wickets as Sinalo Jafta went for 14 as Wolvaardt searched for a partner.
The captain reached her 50 from 81 balls, but the Proteas were unable to throw caution to the wind and move ahead of the run rate.
Eventually, Wolvaardt had to go for 70 from 111 balls as Gaud got her second and ended the partnership of 61.
Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk picked up the mantle and pushed South Africa towards their target before Tryon fell for 49, trapped leg before by Rana.
But that did not stop De Klerk, who continued to let rip from the crease alongside Ayabonga Khaka.
De Klerk hit back-to-back sixes, plus a four, off Gaud in the 47th over to tip the balance in South Africa’s favour before sealing victory with a six – the fifth of an outstanding innings that clinched the game for her side with just seven balls in hand.
India v South Africa – Dr Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India
India 251 all out in 49.5 overs (Richa Ghosh 94, Pratika Rawal 37; Chloe Tryon 3/32, Marizanne Kapp 2/45)
South Africa 252/7 in 48.5 overs (Nadine de Klerk 84 not out, Wolvaardt 71; Sneh Rana 2/47, Kranti Gaud 2/59)
Result: South Africa won by three wickets
