The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Guwahati delivered a jaw-dropping spectacle on October 3 as England Women and South Africa Women squared off in what was expected to be a tightly contested opener for both teams. Instead, fans at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium witnessed a historic collapse, with South Africa tumbling to their second-lowest World Cup total, all under the bright lights and humid skies of Assam.
The day began with high anticipation and a strategic toss. England’s captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, won the toss at 2:30 PM IST and chose to bowl first, a decision she explained with confidence. “We’re going to have a bowl. We want to go out as a team and leave our mark on the game. Hopefully, the wicket will get better for batting under lights, and with the ball we’ll be aiming to take wickets whenever the chance comes,” Sciver-Brunt said. Her counterpart, South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, wasn’t fazed by losing the toss. “Looks a bit slower than we expected, don’t mind having a bat first. Our focus is on taking one match at a time and staying in the moment. We’ve got four spin options and three pace options to work with,” Wolvaardt remarked.
Both sides fielded strong lineups, with England’s XI featuring stalwarts like Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, and the ever-reliable Sophie Ecclestone. South Africa countered with Wolvaardt herself, Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, and wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta. The stage was set for a classic World Cup tussle.
Coming into the match, England were considered favorites, having dominated recent head-to-head encounters. They had won three of their last five ODIs against South Africa, including their two most recent meetings. England’s year, however, had been a rollercoaster: a 3-0 Ashes defeat to Australia, a 3-0 win over West Indies, and a 1-2 loss to India. Yet, their World Cup warm-up form was electric—they hammered India by 152 runs and chased down 248 against defending champions Australia. South Africa’s journey had its own ups and downs: a tough tri-series against India and Sri Lanka, a 2-1 series win over West Indies, and a hard-fought series against Pakistan. In their warm-ups, they edged past Pakistan by four wickets after the first fixture was washed out.
Weather and pitch conditions added another layer of intrigue. Katey Martin, reporting pitchside, described the surface as sticky and humid, with a threat of rain looming around 4 PM IST. “The pitch has been under covers, and some cracks appear on the sides. Moisture will overpower the cracks,” noted Carlos Brathwaite, who also suggested that spin could play a significant role. The match was broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar and SonyLIV, ensuring fans across India could follow every ball.
When play began, few could have predicted the carnage that would unfold. South Africa struggled from the outset. England’s bowlers, led by the likes of Ecclestone and Bell, executed their captain’s plan to perfection, exploiting the moisture-laden surface and extracting movement and turn. In a mere two hours, South Africa were bowled out for just 69 runs—a tally that will haunt them for a long time. This was their second-lowest total in Women’s World Cup history, their lowest being 51 against New Zealand Women in Bowral back in 2009.
The collapse was as dramatic as it was historic. Not a single one of South Africa’s top five batters reached double figures, posting scores of 5, 5, 2, 4, and 6. Wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta stood alone, the only player to cross six runs. Extras, with eight, ended up as the second-highest contributor. It was the first time in 20 years that a team lost all its top five batters for single-digit scores in a Women’s 50-over World Cup match—the last time being Sri Lanka against England in 2005. According to the records, this was only the eighth such instance in the 21st century, and a stark reminder of the ruthless nature of World Cup cricket.
England’s bowlers were relentless. Every change brought results, and the fielding was sharp—there was no respite for South Africa. The English attack was clinical, and the energy in the field matched their intent. It was a collective effort, with each bowler chipping in and the spinners, as predicted, making the most of the conditions. The South African batters, despite Wolvaardt’s optimism about their spin and pace resources, simply couldn’t find their footing.
For England, this performance was a statement. Their recent form in warm-up matches had hinted at a resurgence, and on the big stage, they delivered. The team’s depth—both in batting and bowling—was on full display. While the batters were yet to take center stage in this match, the bowlers had already set the tone for the tournament. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s leadership, both at the toss and in the field, was decisive and inspiring.
South Africa, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. Their recent run, including four consecutive wins before narrowly beating Pakistan, had given them confidence, but this defeat will sting. The squad, packed with talent and experience, will be eager to put this performance behind them and focus on the matches ahead. Cricket, after all, offers little time for reflection before the next challenge arrives.
As the dust settled in Guwahati, England emerged as a team to watch in this World Cup. Their dominance with the ball and sharp tactics have set the tone for the rest of their campaign. For South Africa, it’s back to the drawing board—but with the tournament still young, they have a chance to bounce back and show the resilience that has defined their recent history.
The action in Guwahati was a reminder of why World Cup cricket captivates fans worldwide: unpredictability, drama, and the promise that every new day can bring a fresh story. England’s bowlers have certainly written the first major chapter of this tournament, leaving everyone eager to see what comes next.
