South Africa’s skills were on full display at the ICC Women’s World Cup on October 13, as Nadine de Klerk guided her side to a tense three-wicket win over Bangladesh, keeping their momentum alive after earlier success against India. Chasing 233 in Visakhapatnam, the pressure was evident from the outset when Tazmin Brits fell first ball and the top order folded yet again, leaving the Proteas reeling at 78-5. It looked like a familiar collapse, but the middle order had other ideas.
Chloe Tyron, with a composed 62 from 69 balls, and Marizanne Kapp, who grounded the innings with 56 off 71, steadied the chase with a vital stand. Their partnership brought South Africa back into the contest, but once Kapp departed with 70 still needed, all eyes turned to de Klerk. Still fresh from her heroics against India, she carried the same calm authority to the crease.
Tyron appeared poised to complete the task alongside her, but a miscommunication resulted in her dismissal with just 35 needed. Bangladesh sensed a final twist, especially when de Klerk mistimed two shots in the second-to-last over. Once landed safely, the other went straight to long-off, only to be put down by Shorner Akter, who had earlier blasted off a rapid fifty to lift Bangladesh to a competitive total.
De Klerk did not allow the moment to slip twice. Finishing unbeaten on 37 from 29 balls, she sealed the win with a clean strike over the leg side, a six that summed up South Africa’s approach – take the blows, steady the nerves, and finish with intent. Bangladesh, however, will reflect on what might have been. Rabeya Khan dropped a single return catch off Laura Wolvaardt, and substitute fielder Soumya Akter spilt Tryon on 46. These moments, coupled with Shorna’s late drop, turned a near-perfect outing into a bitter defeat. Their disciplined bowling and controlled use of spin had South Africa contained for long stretches, but experience under pressure proved the separating factor.
Meanwhile, in Colombo, England Women continued their unbeaten run with a dominant 89-run win over Sri Lanka on Saturday, a result shaped by a standout performance from Nat Sciver-Brunt and a ruthless spell from Sophie Ecclestone. Put in to bat, England found themselves in a tight spot at 179-6, but Sciver-Brunt held the innings together with a run-a-ball 117. After being dropped early on three, Sciver-Brunt capitalised, leading England to 253-9 with a late burst of boundaries in the final overs.
Sri Lanka’s reply began with promise when Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama steadied the innings after Chamari Athapaththu was forced to retire hurt. At 95-1, the chase looked alive. But once wickets started to fall, Ecclestone took control. Her spell of 4-17 broke through the middle order with a sharp turn and steep bounce, leaving Sri Lanka without the depth to recover. Athapaththu returned briefly but couldn’t shift the momentum, and Sri Lanka folded for 164 in the 46th over.
For England, the win puts them top of the table, edging ahead of defending champions Australia. Sciver-Brunt’s composure and Ecclestone’s precision offered a blueprint for controlled aggression and disciplined bowling. The rest of the batting lineup had starts but failed to convert, a point England will want to address ahead of their next match against Pakistan Women in Colombo.
Both matches, though different in pace and tone, underlined the growing intensity of the tournament. South Africa continues to depend heavily on their middle order to repair early damage, while England appears more settled, with key players stepping up when pressure builds. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have shown promising prospects.
As the tournament moves forward, South Africa’s ability to claw its way back from losing positions and England’s converting opportunities into dominance place them as genuine threats. Growth is clear in both the Bangladesh and Sri Lankan teams; however, adapting in crucial moments remains their biggest challenge.
