Laura Wolvaardt is all set for her first ODI World Cup as captain as South Africa enters the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 as one of the favourites.
Proteas will be relying on their combination to shine on the big stage to strengthen their case for a maiden Cricket World Cup title.
South Africa will kickstart its campaign against England on October 3 in Guwahati.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the squad:
Captain – Laura Wolvaardt
Coach – Mandla Mashimbyi
Best WC performance – Semifinal (2000, 2017, 2022)
ICC Ranking – 5th
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD FOR WOMEN’S ODI WORLD CUP 2025
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase.
Reserves: Maine Smit
STRENGTH
South Africa enters the 2025 Women’s World Cup with pedigree and consistency, having reached back-to-back semifinals. The Proteas possess an explosive top order led by Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, the most prolific opening pair in ODIs since the last World Cup with over 1,500 runs in just 26 matches. Their presence gives South Africa a strong foundation to dictate terms.
The squad also carries significant continuity, with 10 of the 15 players returning from the previous edition. Marizanne Kapp remains the lynchpin of the all-round department, supported by Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon, whose experience blends with the youthful energy of Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Annerie Dercksen, and Anneke Bosch. This depth provides South Africa with balance and multiple match-winning options.
The spin attack is anchored by Nonkululeko Mlaba, whose variations make her particularly suited to subcontinental conditions. She will be complemented by Luus, Tryon, and Shangase, ensuring a diverse toolkit in slow-bowling resources.
WEAKNESS
Over-reliance on the Wolvaardt–Brits partnership remains a glaring concern. Middle-order collapses, especially in chases or on turning tracks, have repeatedly derailed promising starts. The absence of stalwarts like Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee, and Dane van Niekerk — three of South Africa’s most influential batters across eras — has left the lineup short of proven anchors in pressure situations.
The bowling unit, though experienced, must adapt quickly to life without Shabnim Ismail. The team’s greatest fast bowler retired in 2023, and her absence leaves Masabata Klaas and Ayabonga Khaka with the unenviable task of leading the new-ball attack without a true strike option of comparable pedigree.
OPPORTUNITY
South Africa’s spirited run at the 2024 T20 World Cup showed it can compete with the very best. While lapses at key moments cost it the title, the experience of navigating high-pressure knockout games could prove decisive in India. With Wolvaardt captaining her first ODI World Cup, the leadership transition offers the chance to refresh strategies and shed the “nearly-there” tag.
Conditions in India also play into South Africa’s strengths. Mlaba’s spin, coupled with Kapp’s control and the all-rounders’ flexibility, can help South Africa thrive if they adapt quickly. If the younger group of de Klerk, Shangase, and Bosch seize their opportunities, the squad can evolve into more than a two-player batting show, creating a more rounded and resilient unit.
THREAT
The inconsistency of the 2022–25 ICC Championship cycle looms large: 12 wins, 11 losses, and a fourth-place finish underline a tendency to falter against stronger opposition. Heavy defeats to India and England exposed fragility under pressure, and if such lapses repeat on Indian surfaces, the Proteas could once again fall short in the knockouts.
The challenge of replacing Ismail’s wicket-taking impact is significant. Without breakthroughs at crucial moments, South Africa risks being outmuscled by batting-heavy lineups. India’s flat pitches will test their ability to sustain pressure spells, and the inability to close out partnerships remains a historical weakness.
PREDICTION
South Africa looks set for another deep run. If Wolvaardt’s leadership translates into fewer batting lapses and if the bowlers deliver decisive spells against elite opposition, the Proteas could finally convert promise into a historic title bid.
Published on Sep 22, 2025
