Indore – New Zealand and South Africa meet in a crucial ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash on Monday, both sides desperate to bounce back after bruising defeats in their opening fixtures.
This is the first time the two teams face off since the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Dubai, but this time the stakes are different: survival in the group stage and a much-needed confidence boost.
Both Teams Searching for Momentum
New Zealand’s campaign began with an 89-run loss to Australia, where Sophie Devine’s century was overshadowed by another collective batting failure. Since the start of 2024, the White Ferns have won just five of their 15 ODIs, exposing their inconsistency in both batting and bowling.
Their struggles are compounded by the lack of recent ODI preparation, having not played a single match in the format for six months before arriving in India. While Devine remains the backbone, New Zealand’s middle order and bowling attack – led by Lea Tahuhu, Jess and Amelia Kerr, Bree Illing, and Eden Carson – will need to deliver as a unit.
South Africa, meanwhile, endured a nightmare against England in Guwahati, collapsing to just 69 all out. Their batting has been alarmingly fragile, with their last two ODI defeats both ending in dramatic collapses (including 115 all out vs Pakistan). A third in succession could put their World Cup hopes in serious jeopardy.
Spotlight Players: Brits and Bates
For South Africa, Tazmin Brits has been in scintillating form in 2025, smashing four centuries and a fifty in ten ODIs at an average of 81. Alongside captain Laura Wolvaardt, who has also been consistent at the top, the pair forms a dangerous opening combination capable of setting the tone.
For New Zealand, it will be a landmark outing for veteran Suzie Bates, who is set to play her 350th international match. Despite a duck against Australia, she has three half-centuries in her last seven ODIs and remains vital to the White Ferns’ hopes of stability in the top order.
Team News
South Africa may revisit their decision to bench Annerie Dercksen, one of their few centurions since 2024, in favour of Anneke Bosch, who has struggled for form.
South Africa (likely XI): Wolvaardt (c), Brits, Luus, Kapp, Bosch/Dercksen, Jafta (wk), Tryon, de Klerk, Klaas, Khaka, Mlaba
For New Zealand, injured spinner Flora Devonshire has been replaced by seamer Hannah Rowe, but they are expected to retain the same lineup.
New Zealand (likely XI): Bates, Plimmer, A. Kerr, Devine (c), Halliday, Green, Gaze (wk), J. Kerr, Tahuhu, Carson, Illing
Conditions in Indore
The Holkar Stadium surface for the first World Cup game proved flat, with Australia racking up 326 batting first. A fresh pitch will be used for this contest, but overhead conditions may play a part, with overcast skies and hazy sunshine expected after recent rain.
As Suzie Bates put it, “It’s all about who adapts the best tomorrow because it is a different wicket, and it can play differently.”
Stats & Milestones
- Suzie Bates is 104 runs away from the 6,000 mark in women’s ODIs.
- Marizanne Kapp needs two wickets to break into the top five all-time wicket-takers in ODIs.
- Wolvaardt and Brits have scored nine ODI centuries between them since 2024.
- New Zealand have not scored 300+ in an ODI since early 2024.