Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits led from the front as the Proteas Women cruised to a convincing 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method in their rain-affected ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash in Colombo on Friday.
Player of the Match Wolvaardt was in sublime touch, finishing unbeaten on 60 from 47 balls (8 fours), while Brits complemented her perfectly with an attacking 55* off 42 (4 fours, 2 sixes). Together, they shared an unbroken 121-run stand to chase down the revised target with 31 balls to spare.
Earlier, South Africa’s bowlers set the tone with disciplined performances. Nonkululeko Mlaba (3/30) and Masabata Klaas (2/18) were the pick of the attack as Sri Lanka managed 105/7 in their reduced 20-over innings.
After being put in to bowl, the Proteas struck early. Sri Lankan opener Vishmi Gunaratne (34) retired hurt after taking a blow to the knee in the fifth over. Klaas then removed Hasini Perera (4) and captain Chamari Athapaththu (12) in quick succession, leaving the hosts struggling at 37/2 after 10 overs.
Persistent rain delayed play for more than five hours, with Sri Lanka 46/2 after 12 overs. Once the match resumed as a 20-over contest, Kavisha Dilhari (14) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (13) tried to rebuild but were soon dismissed by Nadine de Klerk (1/23) and Mlaba, halting any momentum.
A useful 40-run partnership between Nilakshika Silva (18) and the returning Gunaratne gave Sri Lanka some late runs, but Mlaba’s final over wrapped things up brilliantly – taking two wickets and effecting a run-out to close the innings.
In response, Wolvaardt and Brits made the chase look effortless. The pair brought up fifty in just eight overs, with Wolvaardt reaching her 37th ODI half-century soon after. Brits sealed the deal with a towering six – her second of the innings – to reach her third career fifty and complete a commanding 10-wicket victory.
The result gave South Africa their fourth consecutive win of the tournament, moving them up to second on the log.
The Proteas Women will now face Pakistan next Tuesday, 21 October, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo – their second-last fixture of the league stage.
Proteas Women Squad – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Travelling Reserve
Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans)
Fixtures – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
Tuesday, 21 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
Saturday, 25 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)
Wednesday, 29 October at 11h30 – Semi-final 1 (TBC)
Thursday, 30 October at 11h30 – Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)
Sunday, 02 November at 11h30 – Final (TBC)
