Wolvaardt hails brilliant batting in impressive South Africa win
Media release
Laura Wolvaardt hailed South Africa’s superb batting performance after the Proteas breezed past Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in Colombo.
South Africa smashed their way to a formidable 312 for nine from 40 overs on their way to a dominant 150-run win (DLS method) in a game which featured multiple rain delays.
Captain Wolvaardt led the way with the bat, crashing 90 from 82 deliveries, and was brilliantly backed up by half centuries from Player of the Match Marizanne Kapp (68*) and Sune Luus (61), as well as later-order fireworks from Nadine de Klerk (41), who hit four sixes in her 16-ball knock.
Those exploits with the bat swung the game irrevocably in South Africa’s favour as Pakistan could only muster 83 for seven in reply after further bad weather left them with a target of 234 from 20 overs.
“Yeah, it was pretty close [to a complete batting performance],” said Wolvaardt. “We had someone up top batting through and then someone controlling the middle. Sune batted really well as well. We had the 100-run partnership, and then there was the big finish. We ticked a lot of boxes, so I’m very happy with that after being sent in to bat.
“Scoring 312 in 40 overs is really nice for us. Obviously, [there were] performances all around. Kappy was amazing in the middle and Nadine was sensational at the end. It's really nice to see everyone chipping in in different phases in the lineup.”
Not only did Kapp contribute with the bat but she also starred with the ball, taking three for 20 to dismantle Pakistan’s top order and leave their opponents with no way back into the contest.
However, despite being the pick of South Africa’s bowlers, Kapp felt there was room for improvement where her bowling was concerned.
“Honestly, I didn’t bowl that well,” she said. “I wasn’t happy with my bowling. I’ve felt I’ve bowled better in previous games but luckily today I got the rewards. I would love to play on this wicket a bit more, it wasn’t the same wicket we played Sri Lanka on, but I’m just happy with the win tonight."
The win moves South Africa top of the group stage table and also marks the first time they have won five World Cup games in a row.
Meanwhile, the result means Pakistan remain the only winless team at the World Cup and have only one more chance to correct that when they take on Sri Lanka next.
Captain Fatima Sana was stark in her assessment of the game and lauded the efforts of South Africa.
She said: “Today’s the day that the bowlers did not perform well. We have to accept it, and I think the way their guys played, that is awesome. We have to be more calm in that situation because of the way their guys played.
“After the second over, which was before the [first] rain [delay], and after the rain, it was like two totally different scenarios, because the conditions were bad. We tried to be more rhythmic in that situation. But it was totally different, and it was very difficult to bowl on.”
ENDS