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South Africa continued their dream run at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a commanding 150-run (DLS) victory over Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on October 21.
The match was repeatedly interrupted by rain, but the Proteas remained unbothered as they stormed to their fifth consecutive win, climbing to the top of the table. Captain Laura Wolvaardt’s classy 90, Sune Luus’ fluent 61, and Marizanne Kapp’s all-round brilliance, 68 unbeaten off 43 balls and 3/20, propelled South Africa to a formidable 312/9 in just 40 overs. Rain interruptions forced Pakistan’s target to be revised twice, first to 262 in 25 overs and then to 234 in 20 overs, but the chase never took off. Ayabonga Khaka and Nondumiso Shangase supported Kapp’s fiery spell as Pakistan stumbled to 83/7. With the win, South Africa strengthened their semifinal credentials, while Pakistan’s campaign came to an end after suffering their fourth loss in the tournament.
Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp headline South Africa’s batting blitz amid rain interruptions
Asked to bat first under overcast skies, South Africa overcame early setbacks in a rain-hit innings to post a massive 312 in just 40 overs, a testament to their depth and batting aggression. Opener Tazmin Brits departed cheaply for a duck, but Wolvaardt and Luus steadied the ship with a commanding 118-run partnership for the second wicket. Wolvaardt’s innings was a masterclass in control and placement, striking 10 fours and two sixes en route to 90 off 82 balls, while Luus complemented her perfectly with a fluent 61 off 59, showcasing deft sweeps and straight drives.
Their partnership laid the foundation before both fell in quick succession, momentarily halting South Africa’s momentum. However, Kapp took complete control in the final overs, displaying her power-hitting ability with six fours and three sixes in an explosive 43-ball 68*. Nadine de Klerk’s fiery cameo (41 off 16) further propelled the total past 300, as the Proteas added 99 runs in the last five overs. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the carnage, with Nashra Sandhu (3/45) and Sadia Iqbal (3/63) the only bright spots. Despite heavy interruptions and revised overs, South Africa’s fearless approach ensured they maintained a run rate close to eight per over, completely dictating the tempo of the innings.
Also READ: Women’s World Cup 2025: Here’s how India can qualify for semifinal after loss against England
Kapp’s fiery spell dismantles Pakistan as semifinal hopes vanish
Defending a revised target of 234 in 20 overs, Kapp once again led from the front, producing a spell of ruthless precision that left Pakistan’s top order in tatters. The veteran all-rounder dismissed Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin and Aliya Riaz, reducing Pakistan to 35/4 before rain halted play once again. Her ability to swing the ball under lights and extract seam movement proved too good for Pakistan’s tentative batters.
After the restart, Khaka joined the party by removing Muneeba Ali, while Shangase chipped in with two wickets, including the dangerous Natalia Pervaiz (20 off 24). None of the Pakistan batters could settle as partnerships failed to materialize, their highest stand being a modest 20 runs. Sidra Nawaz’s unbeaten 22 off 33 was the only note of resistance as Pakistan crawled to 83/7 at the end of 20 overs, falling short by a massive 150 runs under DLS calculations.
Kapp’s figures of 3/20 in 5 overs summed up her dominance, earning her the Player of the Match award. South Africa’s bowlers maintained relentless discipline, conceding just six boundaries in total. With five wins in as many games, the Proteas have already booked their place in the semifinals, while Pakistan’s exit from contention was confirmed, their campaign marred by inconsistency and an inability to convert starts into partnerships.
Here’s how fans reacted:
God’s favourite children, South Africa. Two games in Colombo, they leave with all FOUR points.
Not saying anything more. 🫣 #SAvPAK #CWC25
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) October 21, 2025
South Africa beat the rain to make it FIVE in a row! 🔥
🇳🇿 ✅
🇮🇳 ✅
🇧🇩 ✅
🇱🇰 ✅
🇵🇰 ✅#CWC25 pic.twitter.com/wJhUp88dwa— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 21, 2025
https://twitter.com/YouBearsssssss/status/1980691089565835394
@ProteasWomenCSA win for the fifth time in a row after that first game loss vs England. Beat Pakistan Women comprehensively today in Sri Lanka to go top of the #ICCWomensWorldCup2025 log. #CWC25 🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏
— Jaywant Parbhoo (@JayParbhoo) October 21, 2025
Very fortunate for the Proteas women to escape Colombo with 2 results, and massive wins at that. Pretty much everyone’s match was washed out there… But that’s 5 wins on the bounce and we march on. Next up, a biggie against the Aussies at Indore!#CWC25
— Gontse Matea (@Gontse_Matea) October 21, 2025
Yessss , we snatched a win from what looked like a certain washout during the second innings, thrashed them by 150 runs. Hope for finishing top of the table is still alive just need to beat aussies next and we will finish at the top. let’s go…! #CWC25
— anant (de klerk’s stan) (@scixcric) October 21, 2025
Congratulations Proteas Women
A well deserved win 😃
Let’s do this against the top 2!
— Collen Kagiso Mogwera 🇿🇦 (@kagisodoc) October 21, 2025
Marizanne Kapp is my GOAT when’s it comes to Proteas Ladies.
Same calibre player as Jacques Kallis if not better for their team ❤️
— The Lad (@simphiwe21k) October 21, 2025
Fair freaking play Proteas. Already qualified but no complacency. They have crushed Pakistan to make it 5 wins on the bounce. Their strongest XI is so well synced with Asian condition and the way they are starting to go heavy up top is adding extra potent to this great team.
— Ahmad Hussain (@Ahmad_Pak_) October 21, 2025
All-round masterclass from Marizanne Kapp 👏#women #cricket #marizannekapp #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/ay7gfwvzSl
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 21, 2025
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
