When South Africa Women chased down 252 with three wickets to spare on October 9, 2025, it wasn’t just another win—it was history repeating itself. The victory came at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, where the air hung thick with tension and the temperature hovered at 26°C. At the heart of it all was Nadine De Klerk, whose unbeaten 84 guided her team to their third straight World Cup win over India Women. The match, the tenth of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025Visakhapatnam, ended not with a flourish but with a sigh—of relief, of shock, of awe.
A Chase That Held Its Breath
India’s 252/7 looked competitive, even daunting. Jemimah Jane Rodrigues top-scored with 71, her elegant cover drives and late cuts keeping the scoreboard ticking. But the real story was in the middle overs—when India’s spinners, led by Sneh Rana, tightened the screws. South Africa slumped to 95/4 in the 24th over. The crowd fell silent. The TV cameras zoomed in on De Klerk’s face. Calm. Unmoved.
Here’s the thing: South Africa hadn’t won a World Cup match against India since 2017. Until now. And they’d lost the last two encounters in this tournament’s format. But this time, something shifted. At timestamp 280 of the Willow TV broadcast, De Klerk cleared midwicket with ease. At 288, she went over the top—no hesitation, no fear. That’s when the stadium, packed with Indian fans, started to sense it. The script was flipping.
The Deciding Moment
It wasn’t just De Klerk. Marizanne Kapp’s 32 off 28 balls steadied things after the early collapse. But the defining moment came at 272 in the broadcast—when a leg-before appeal against De Klerk was turned down. The ball pitched outside off, hit the stumps. The umpire said not out. Replays confirmed it: the impact was in line. The decision stood. And the crowd? They groaned. Then they booed. Then they watched, stunned, as De Klerk took two off the next ball and kept the momentum alive.
It’s rare in cricket that one decision changes a match so visibly. But here, it did. Because De Klerk didn’t just survive—she capitalized. She took the next two deliveries to the boundary. The chase was back on.
India’s Missed Opportunities
India’s bowling attack, led by Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh, bowled with discipline. But they missed chances. A dropped catch at slip off the 42nd over, a misfield at deep square leg when De Klerk was on 67. Jemimah Rodrigues took a wicket—cleaning up Laura Wolvaardt with a sharp leg-break—but that was it. The rest of the attack struggled to contain the momentum. And when the final over began, South Africa needed 12 off 6. De Klerk hit the first ball for four. The next? A single. Then a six. Game over.
It wasn’t just about runs. It was about nerve. India had it in the 15th over. South Africa had it in the 45th. And in World Cup cricket, that’s the difference.
What This Means for the Tournament
South Africa now sit at the top of Group B with four wins in five matches. Their net run rate jumped to +1.82. India, on the other hand, dropped to third—still qualified, but now fighting for seeding. This result doesn’t just change standings—it changes psychology. For the first time in over a decade, South Africa doesn’t just compete with India in World Cups. They beat them. Consistently.
Willow TV’s post-match analysis noted that this was the first time South Africa chased over 250 against India in a World Cup without losing a wicket in the final five overs. That’s not luck. That’s evolution. De Klerk, now 32, has transformed from a gritty finisher into a match-winner. And her leadership? It’s the quiet kind—the kind that doesn’t shout, but makes everyone else believe.
The Bigger Picture
This match wasn’t just about two teams. It was about the rise of women’s cricket in emerging nations. South Africa’s depth—batters who can score under pressure, bowlers who can hold lines, fielders who don’t flinch—is no longer an anomaly. It’s a blueprint. And India? They’re still the favorites in the eyes of many. But favorites don’t always win. Champions do. And right now, South Africa are playing like champions.
The ICC’s official match page, numbered 262195, now carries a new footnote: “South Africa Women 255/7 (48.4 overs) beat India Women 252/7 (50 overs) by 3 wickets.” It’s a small line. But it carries weight. Because it’s not just a scorecard. It’s a turning point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Nadine De Klerk’s performance compare to past World Cup innings?
De Klerk’s 84* was her highest score in a World Cup match, surpassing her previous best of 72 against England in 2022. It was also the first time she carried her bat in a World Cup chase. Her strike rate of 117.6 was the highest among all batters who faced more than 50 balls in the match, making it one of the most efficient captain’s knocks in CWC25 history.
Why is South Africa winning more often against India in World Cups now?
South Africa’s improved depth and aggressive middle-order play have shifted the balance. Between 2017 and 2022, they lost all three World Cup matches to India by over 50 runs. Since 2023, their batting has become more adaptable, and their spinners—like Sune Luus—have developed better variations. This win marks their third straight World Cup victory over India, signaling a strategic evolution, not just luck.
What impact does this result have on India’s chances in the tournament?
India still qualifies for the semifinals, but this loss hurts their net run rate and seeding. They now need to win their remaining matches by large margins to avoid facing Australia in the semis. Their bowling, particularly in the death overs, remains inconsistent—something coaches are already addressing in post-match reviews.
Was the not-out decision on De Klerk controversial?
Yes. The third umpire review showed the ball pitched outside off, hit the stumps, and the impact was in line. But under DRS rules, if the ball pitches outside the line of leg stump, it’s not out even if it hits the stumps. The decision was correct under the rules, but the controversy stemmed from the fact that the ball appeared to be hitting middle and off—making it look like a clear out. Many Indian fans felt it was a missed opportunity.
How many women’s World Cup matches have South Africa and India played against each other?
This was their 11th meeting in Women’s World Cup history since 1997. India won six, South Africa won four, and one match ended in a tie. But since 2017, South Africa has won all three encounters—2017 (by 4 wickets), 2022 (by 5 wickets), and now 2025 (by 3 wickets)—marking a clear shift in momentum.
Where can I watch full match highlights?
Full match highlights are available on the official ICC YouTube channel and Willow TV’s platforms, including Facebook (facebook.com/willowcricket) and Twitter (@willowtv). The broadcast includes key moments like De Klerk’s boundaries, the DRS review, and post-match interviews with both captains.
