India (w)
South Africa (w)
A blockbuster showdown is set for 9 October, when the Indian women's national cricket team will take on the South African women's national cricket team at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
The spotlight will be on Smriti Mandhana, who enters the clash in sensational form after a record-breaking 50-ball century against Australia, and Tazmin Brits, who has hammered four centuries in five World Cup innings.
India comes into this game unbeaten, following a commanding 88-run win over Pakistan, while South Africa gained momentum with a six-wicket triumph over New Zealand. With both sides in top gear, Mandhana’s class against the Brits’ power promises a thrilling contest that could shape the tournament’s top spots.
Both sides have explosive top orders so expect both teams to cross 250-run mark while batting first.
The betting tip is...
First innings total over 250.5 runs
75 %
25 %
India (w)South Africa (w)India women's national cricket team head into their clash with South Africa women's national cricket team with a settled lineup and high expectations from their top order. Smriti Mandhana will open with Pratika Rawal. Though Mandhana hasn’t fired yet this World Cup, her record against South Africa is exceptional - over 50 average, three centuries, and five fifties in 18 innings. She’s in fine touch this year with 959 runs and a strike rate 115. Rawal has scored 68 runs in two games and averages 49 in 2025.
Harleen Deol, India’s leading run-scorer with 94 runs, will bat at No. 3. The middle order features Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Jemimah Rodrigues. Kaur’s form this year has dipped, but she averages 53 against South Africa. Rodrigues has scored 511 runs in 14 games and hit 123 in her last match against the Proteas. Deepti has been India’s standout - 459 runs at 65.57 and six wickets in the tournament.
The bowling unit will be led by Sneh Rana and Deepti, backed by Radha Yadav and Kranti Gaud. Rana has been steady, while Gaud has 18 wickets in nine games and a Player of the Match award against Pakistan.
Amanjot Kaur remains a useful option with both bat and ball.
Predicted Lineup: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani.
The South Africa women's national cricket team will look to build on their strong form with a settled lineup against the India women's national cricket team. Laura Wolvaardt will open with Tazmin Brits. Wolvaardt has just 19 runs in two games but boasts 323 runs in her last five matches against India, including a century. Brits is the in-form batter with four centuries in her last five games and 626 runs in nine matches at an average of 89. Sune Luus, who scored 83 in the last outing, will bat at No. 3.
The middle order will feature Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta, and Chloe Tryon. Kapp has 205 runs in six games this year at an average of 68 and 23 wickets in 22 innings against India, making her a key all-rounder. Bosch and Jafta have been quiet so far, while Tryon averages 36 against India.
The bowling will be spearheaded by Nonkululeko Mlaba, who took four wickets in the last game and has 15 in her previous eight WODIs at an economy of 4.8. She’ll be supported by Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, and Masabata Klaas.
Tryon remains a crucial option with 10 wickets in her last eight games, while Khaka has 18 wickets in 20 outings against India.
Predicted Lineup: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
With Tazmin Brits in unstoppable form and Smriti Mandhana due for a big knock, this clash has all the makings of a run-fest.
South Africa’s top order looks dangerous, but India’s depth with Deepti Sharma and a sharper bowling attack gives them the edge.
Expect a tight contest, but India’s consistency and home advantage could tilt the result in their favour.
