South Africa continued their commanding run in the Women’s World Cup 2025, defeating Sri Lanka by 10 wickets with 31 balls to spare at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, October 17. This victory marked the Proteas’ fourth consecutive win, following a shaky start where they were bowled out for just 69 against England. The triumph propels South Africa to second place in the points table with eight points and a net run rate of -0.440, significantly strengthening their semi-final hopes. For Sri Lanka, the loss leaves them winless, meaning they must win both remaining matches to stay in contention.
Women’s World Cup 2025: Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk lead Proteas’ bowling charge
Sri Lanka’s innings began on a troubling note when Vishmi Gunaratne was struck on the left knee by a sharp throw from mid-on and had to be stretchered off. Her replacement, Hasini Perera, was quickly dismissed by Masabata Klaas for just four. Chamari Athapaththu continued her indifferent form, falling for 11, leaving Sri Lanka at 46/2 in the 12th over before rain halted play for five and a half hours. The match resumed with a reduced 20-over format.
Kavisha Dilhari (14) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (13) added 26 for the third wicket, but both were soon dismissed, Dilhari by Nadine de Klerk and Samarawickrama by left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba. Showing remarkable resilience, Vishmi returned to bat and top-scored with 34, while Nilakshi de Silva added 18, taking Sri Lanka to a modest 105/7. Mlaba was the star bowler with figures of 3/30 in her four allotted overs, while Marizanne Kapp went wicketless, but the pressure created by South Africa’s bowling unit ensured Sri Lanka never regained momentum.
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Women’s World Cup 2025: Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits dominate the chase
Chasing the revised DLS target of 121, South Africa began positively with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits asserting control. Wolvaardt’s confident strokeplay, including crisp boundaries off Malki Madara and Sugandika Kumari, kept the Proteas ahead of the required rate. Brits, after a difficult run with consecutive ducks against India and Bangladesh, roared back with an aggressive 55, including a towering six off Inoka Ranaweera.
The pair consolidated their innings with a 50-plus partnership off just 43 balls, steadily moving South Africa toward victory. By the 13th over, Wolvaardt and Brits hammered 18 runs combined off Kavisha Dilhari, sealing Sri Lanka’s fate. Wolvaardt reached her half-century off 41 balls and remained unbeaten on 60 from 47 deliveries, while Brits finished with a flourish, hitting a six off Piumi Watshala to end the chase emphatically. The 10-wicket win demonstrated South Africa’s dominance and put them firmly on course for the semi-finals.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Tazmin Brits gets to her fifty with the winning runs!!!
SA thrash SL by 10 wickets and win 4 on the bounce!#CWC25 #SLvSA pic.twitter.com/VxtH3iVS8G
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) October 17, 2025
Proteas Women are #Unbreakable at #CWC25 ! Four on the run. Well done!
— Premier Alan Winde (@alanwinde) October 17, 2025
Great win for the proteas women. 3 spots in the semi finals sealed. Aus , Eng and SA. Looks like india will clinch the last one.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) October 17, 2025
Comprehensive 10-wicket victory for the Proteas Women 🔥 pic.twitter.com/n9fHmMEelO
— Werner (@Werries_) October 17, 2025
South Africa wins against Sri Lanka in Colombo
Great partnership between Laura Wolvaardt and Tasmin Brits for 125 runs#CWC25— ulikejazz (@cargoesvro_om) October 17, 2025
Tazmin Brits finishes in style. 4th victory in a row for Proteas women. Against the weather Laura Wolvaardt’s girls put on a clinical performance at R Premadasa stadium
— Majid (@cricket747) October 17, 2025
NGL, I underestimated SAW big time.
won 4 out of 4 matches after losing the 1st match.#CWC25 pic.twitter.com/ZwzjOeMZpJ— Mr. Athar not Ali Khan 🇮🇳🏏 (@cricdrugs) October 17, 2025
What an emphatic win by the women Proteas #CWC25
— Fumokhulu🇿🇦 (@SabzarV) October 17, 2025
4 wins on the bounce, and 4 successful run chases by the Proteas women. Our quest for maiden world cup title is looking very promising. Next up, Pakistan in rainy Colombo!#CWC25
— Gontse Matea (@Gontse_Matea) October 17, 2025
Tazmin Brits seals it off with a six. South Africa won by 10 wickets. Thanks to half centuries from Wolvaardt and Brits. Glad the rain stayed away so that the Proteas can secure a victory ❤️. #CWC2025 #CWC25 #SAvSL #SAWvSLW
— Joseph Kiran (@Josekiran30) October 17, 2025
Great Win Proteas Women…that much closer to the Semi Finals 🥹💚🇿🇦
— Ta West (@wfreemantle) October 17, 2025
Laura Wolvaardt wins Player of the match 🌟#women #cricket #LauraWolvaardt #cwc25 pic.twitter.com/3wZ4GHwb6J
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 17, 2025
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
