Women's Cricket World Cup: India look to extend perfect record against South Africa

India W brimming with confidence after thrashing rivals Pakistan 

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup has now gone through two full rounds of matches, and only India and England have managed to maintain a perfect record with back-to-back wins over the first week of the competition.

Australia are technically unbeaten as well, as they stormed to an opening round victory over neighbours New Zealand before their second match of the competition against Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled. 

Against the Women in Green, India posted a defendable total of 247 after being put in to bat. Harleen Deol top-scored for the team with 46 runs off 65 deliveries, while Kranti Goud was the pick of the bowlers, notching up 3/20 in her 10 overs. 

However, the highly anticipated clash between the nations was far from straightforward, as controversy sparked even before a ball was bowled when match referee Shandre Fritz misheard the call at the toss, which then went the way of Pakistan.

A controversial run-out decision heightened tensions even further, while the teams also chose not to shake hands, following the precedent set by the men’s sides at the Asia Cup - not to mention the match was briefly stopped due to a bug invasion. 

Nevertheless, having got through the match with an 88-run victory, India now have momentum on their side, and another win against the Proteas will put them in a very strong position to secure a spot in the knockout round. 

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South Africa W bounce back after opening match drubbing

In contrast, South Africa’s World Cup campaign got off to a dismal start, as they suffered a crushing 10-wicket loss to England after setting a target of just 70 runs, which was their third-lowest in ODIs and second-worst ever at a World Cup. 

However, the Proteas bounced back from that defeat in style by beating New Zealand by six wickets and with 55 balls to spare at the Holkar Stadium in their second match of the competition on Monday evening. 

Batting first, the White Ferns set their Southern Hemisphere counterparts a target of 231 with Sophie Devine top-scoring with 85 (98). The Proteas chased down the target in 40.5 overs, with Tazmin Brits scoring a stunning century, Sune Luus adding 83, and Nonkululeko Mlaba picking up 4/40 with the ball. 

Heading into their next match against the Women in Blue, the Proteas are the clear outsiders based on the latest odds, while our experts’ India Women vs South Africa Women prediction suggests that Smriti Mandhana could be one to watch. 

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