Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 powers Proteas to dramatic 3-wicket victory in Women’s World Cup clash
South Africa Women pulled off a nail-biting chase at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, defeating India Women by 3 wickets with just 7 balls to spare. Chasing 252, the Proteas rode on Nadine de Klerk’s magnificent unbeaten 84 off 54 balls to clinch a thrilling win in the 10th match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
After winning the toss and electing to field first, South Africa restricted India to 251 all out in 49.5 overs. The chase wasn’t straightforward, but de Klerk’s fireworks in the death overs turned the game on its head.
Match Overview: October 9, 2025
The day-night encounter at Visakhapatnam promised fireworks, and it delivered in spectacular fashion. India Women, batting first, posted a competitive total thanks to a remarkable 94-run partnership between Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana for the eighth wicket. However, South Africa Women’s chase, anchored by captain Laura Wolvaardt and finished by de Klerk, ensured the IND Women vs SA Women result favored the visitors.
India’s Innings: Ghosh and Rana Rescue Act
India’s start was promising with openers Pratika Rawal (37 off 56) and Smriti Mandhana (23 off 32) putting on 55 runs. But once Mandhana fell in the 11th over, India’s middle order crumbled dramatically.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur managed just 9 off 24 balls, while star batter Jemimah Rodrigues was dismissed for a golden duck. At 102/6 in the 26th over, India looked set for a below-par total. That’s when wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh took charge.
Ghosh played an absolute blinder, smashing 94 off 78 balls with 14 fours and 1 six at a strike rate of 120.51. She found an able partner in Sneh Rana (33 off 24), who played with similar aggression. Their 88-run stand revived India’s innings and pushed the total past 240.
The last three wickets fell in a heap as India were bowled out for 251 in 49.5 overs. Nadine de Klerk (2/52) and Marizanne Kapp (2/45) were the pick of South African bowlers, while Chloe Tryon claimed three crucial middle-order wickets.
South Africa’s Chase: Wolvaardt and de Klerk Shine
South Africa’s chase began disastrously. Tazmin Brits was dismissed for a duck in the third over, and when Sune Luus departed for 5, the Proteas were 18/2. Marizanne Kapp (20) and Anneke Bosch (1) fell in quick succession, leaving South Africa reeling at 58/4.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt held firm at one end, crafting a patient 70 off 111 balls. She added crucial partnerships with Sinalo Jafta (14) and Chloe Tryon (49 off 66) to keep South Africa in the hunt. When Wolvaardt fell in the 36th over with the score at 142/6, India sensed victory.
But Nadine de Klerk had other plans. Walking in at number eight, she played one of the finest innings in recent Women’s World Cup history. Her 84 not out came off just 54 deliveries and included 5 fours and 2 sixes. The IND Women vs SA Women result hinged on her explosive hitting in the final overs.
De Klerk found support from Tryon (49), and their 69-run partnership for the seventh wicket brought South Africa back into contention. Even after Tryon’s dismissal in the 46th over, de Klerk didn’t panic. She farmed the strike brilliantly and found boundaries at will, eventually sealing victory with 7 balls remaining.
Scorecard Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 251 | 10 | 49.5 |
| South Africa Women | 252 | 7 | 48.5 |
Result: South Africa Women won by 3 wickets
Last 10 Overs Runboard (South Africa’s Chase)
| Overs | Runs Scored | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| 39-40 | 8 | Singles and twos |
| 41-42 | 12 | De Klerk finds boundary |
| 43-44 | 15 | Tryon-de Klerk partnership accelerates |
| 45-46 | 14 | Tryon departs (211/7) |
| 47-48 | 18 | De Klerk reaches fifty |
| 48-49 | 22 | De Klerk smashes boundaries, SA wins |
Top Performers
Batting:
- Nadine de Klerk (SA) — 84* (54), 5×4, 2×6
- Richa Ghosh (IND) — 94 (78), 14×4, 1×6
- Laura Wolvaardt (SA) — 70 (111), 8×4
- Chloe Tryon (SA) — 49 (66), 5×4
Bowling:
- Chloe Tryon (SA) — 10-0-32-3
- Nadine de Klerk (SA) — 6.5-0-52-2
- Marizanne Kapp (SA) — 9-0-45-2
- Sneh Rana (IND) — 10-0-47-2
Post-Match Reactions
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt praised de Klerk’s composure: “Nadine played an absolute gem. When I got out, we still needed over 100 runs, but she kept her cool and finished it brilliantly. This win gives us massive confidence going forward.”
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the missed opportunities: “We should have defended 251, especially after Richa’s fantastic innings. Our bowlers tried hard, but de Klerk played exceptionally well. We need to regroup quickly.”
Match Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| Date | October 9, 2025 |
| Tournament | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 |
| Toss | South Africa Women (elected to field) |
| Result | South Africa Women won by 3 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Nadine de Klerk (84* and 2/52) |
What’s Next?
This IND Women vs SA Women result has significant implications for the tournament standings. South Africa moves up with this crucial victory, while India will need to bounce back quickly in their next fixture. Both teams have shown they possess match-winners, setting up an exciting tournament ahead.
India’s next challenge will be to address their middle-order collapse, while South Africa will look to build on this momentum. With the World Cup heating up, every match carries massive importance.
Conclusion
The IND Women vs SA Women match summary showcases why cricket remains unpredictable. From India’s recovery through Ghosh and Rana to de Klerk’s sensational chase, this thriller had everything. South Africa’s 3-wicket victory with 7 balls remaining will be remembered as one of the great chases in Women’s World Cup history.