South Africa strengthened their chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals by securing their fourth successful chase of the tournament, this time in a rain-affected match in Colombo. The contest effectively became a T20 game against Sri Lanka, whose innings faced a delay of over five hours. With two points from two abandoned matches and no wins so far, Sri Lanka’s hopes of making the semi-finals are now slim. To stay in contention, they need victories in their remaining two fixtures and favorable results from other matches.
Sri Lanka's rain interrupted bating order
Sri Lanka chose to bat first and reached 46 for 2 in 12 overs before rain halted play for more than five hours. After the long delay, they returned to add 59 runs in eight overs while losing five wickets, ending at 105 for 7. Because they were unaware their innings would be limited to 20 overs, South Africa’s target was slightly revised upward. The rain disruption also affected South Africa’s bowling strategy since both senior seamers, Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas, had already completed their quotas of four overs when the reduction was announced. Offspinners Sune Luus and Nondumiso Shangase did not bowl at all.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba stepped up under difficult, damp conditions, taking 3 for 30 to contain Sri Lanka’s scoring after the restart. In reply, South Africa’s chase was smooth, highlighted by half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. They wrapped up the win with more than five overs to spare. Although the victory strengthened their semi-final ambitions, their overall net run rate remained in the negative due to an earlier defeat to England.
Before the rain interruption, Sri Lanka appeared confident after their recent big total against New Zealand. However, Klaas struck early with her swing bowling, troubling Vishmi Gunaratne, who later suffered a knee injury but returned to bat in the second phase. Chamari Athapaththu struggled to find rhythm early but managed a boundary off Kapp before Klaas got the better of her with a sharp inswinger, trapping her lbw after a review upheld the decision. By the 10th over, Sri Lanka were 37 for 2, and worsening weather forced players off the field again.
On resumption, Sri Lanka showed intent when Kavisha Dilhari launched Mlaba for six, but wickets soon tumbled. De Klerk dismissed Dilhari, followed by Mlaba removing Samarawickrama. Gunaratne returned and looked fluent, hitting several boundaries, but South Africa regained control in the final overs. Mlaba’s late strikes and De Klerk’s tight bowling restricted Sri Lanka’s finishing surge. Gunaratne’s edge to wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, who claimed her first World Cup catch, sealed a composed bowling effort for South Africa.
South Africa's opening pair easily chase the target
South African openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits began cautiously but soon built a commanding partnership. They rotated the strike efficiently, picked up boundaries at regular intervals, and ensured there were no nerves during the chase. By the 13th over, both batters struck multiple boundaries off Kavisha Dilhari to crush Sri Lanka’s hopes of a comeback. Wolvaardt then pulled Athapaththu for four to bring up the team’s 100, and Brits finished the chase in style with a boundary and a six off Piumi Badalge. Their unbeaten stand marked their seventh century partnership in ODIs and gave South Africa their sixth 10-wicket win in women’s one-day internationals.
After a slow start to the tournament, the pair finally found form, handling Malki Madara’s early swing with composure. Wolvaardt showcased her class by driving confidently through mid-on, while Brits, after two successive ducks, took her time before launching Inoka Ranaweera for a clean six down the ground. Their coordination was on display when they turned quick singles and doubles, even surviving a close run-out call. Wolvaardt dominated the early scoring, playing an elegant cover drive off Athapaththu as South Africa’s innings gained steady momentum.
Brits received a lifeline when a DRS review on an lbw appeal went her way at 20. From there, she and Wolvaardt accelerated, taking 18 runs off Dilhari’s third over with a flurry of boundaries. Wolvaardt soon completed a well-crafted half-century, and Brits joined her, smashing a six over midwicket to finish the match. The clinical partnership not only sealed victory but also restored confidence in South Africa’s opening duo after a lean tournament run.
Scorecard: Sri Lanka 105/7 in 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 34, Nilakshi de Silva 18; Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-30) lost to South Africa 125 for no loss in 14.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 60*, Tazmin Brits 55*) by 10 wickets