South Africa bowled out for 69 in 20.4 overs, their second lowest Women’s World Cup total
Linsey Smith and Nat Sciver-Brunt starred with the ball for England
Amy Jones (40*) and Tammy Beaumont (21*) chased down the target for a 10-wicket win in 14.3 overs
England Women produced a clinical performance to kick off their World Cup 2025 campaign with a crushing 10-wicket win over South Africa in Guwahati on Friday. Choosing to bowl first, England’s attack was relentless from the outset, with Linsey Smith (3 for 14) and Nat Sciver-Brunt dismantling the top order. South Africa’s batters had no answers to the swing and drift, collapsing to 22 for 4 inside the first six overs. Wickets fell in clusters, and apart from Sinalo Jafta’s fighting 22, no other batter managed double figures.
South Africa’s innings ended in just 20.4 overs, bowled out for 69, their second lowest total in Women’s ODI World Cup history. Smith, Sciver-Brunt, and Charlie Dean (2 for 16) shared the spoils as England showcased discipline, variation, and ruthless execution. The Proteas, who were never allowed to settle, looked rattled against both pace and spin, undoing any chance of posting a competitive score.
In response, the chase was a formality. Openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont made sure England finished the job without fuss, adding an unbroken stand of 70 in 14.3 overs. Jones top-scored with a fluent 40 not out, while Beaumont remained steady with 21 not out, sealing England’s first victory in a World Cup opener since the last three editions. The comprehensive nature of the result not only gives England early momentum in the tournament but also underlines their credentials as one of the sides to beat. They play Bangladesh on Tuesday next.
Catch highlights here.
SA-W Vs ENG-W, ODI World Cup 2025: Toss Update
England women have won the toss and chose to field first.
SA-W Vs ENG-W, ODI World Cup 2025: Playing XIs
England Women (Playing XI): Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones(w), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
South Africa Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
SA-W Vs ENG-W, ODI World Cup 2025: Full Squads
England Women Squad: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell, Em Arlott, Sarah Glenn, Alice Capsey, Emma Lamb
South Africa Women Squad: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Sune Luus, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Karabo Meso
