De Klerk’s Unbeaten 84 Guides South Africa to Thrilling Three-Wicket Win Over India in ICC Women’s World Cup

Visakhapatnam, Oct 2025 : Nadine de Klerk smashed an unbeaten 84 off 54 balls after skipper Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a patient 70, steering South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket victory over India with seven balls to spare in Match 10 of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

Chasing a challenging target of 252 set by India, South Africa found themselves in a precarious position at 142/6, struggling against India’s disciplined bowling attack. However, a sensational partnership between Chloe Tryon (49) and Nadine de Klerk completely changed the course of the game. Their resilient batting, featuring a quickfire fifty-plus stand, propelled the Proteas past the finishing line for a memorable triumph, their second consecutive win in the tournament, taking them to four points and into the top four in the standings. India, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat in three matches but remain within the top four.

De Klerk’s finishing touches were breathtaking. In the 47th over, she hammered 16 runs from three balls, reducing the equation to 23 runs from 18 deliveries. Her boundary off Deepti Sharma in the 48th over cut the target further to 12 from 12 balls. In a sensational display of power-hitting, De Klerk then struck two towering sixes off Amanjot Kaur, sealing the win and posting the highest-ever ODI score by a No. 8 batter. She smashed five sixes in total, underlining her all-round brilliance.

South Africa had earlier dominated with the ball, reducing India to 102/6 midway through their innings after electing to bowl first. Richa Ghosh played a game-changing innings for India, scoring a scintillating 94 off 77 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter expertly shepherded the tail, sharing crucial partnerships of 50 with Amanjot Kaur (13) and 88 with Sneh Rana, who contributed a quickfire 33 off 24 balls. Ghosh’s innings featured 11 fours and four sixes, and the duo added 98 runs in the last 10 overs, turning India’s innings into a competitive total of 251 all out in 49.5 overs.

Chasing 252, South Africa stumbled early. Kranti Gaud struck first, removing dangerous opener Tazmin Brits for a duck, with a brilliant catch off her own bowling. Amanjot Kaur sent back Sune Luus for five, while Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana combined effectively, with Sneh castling Marizanne Kapp (20) and Deepti taking a sharp catch to dismiss Anneke Bosch (1). Local girl N. Shree Charani trapped Sinalo Jafta lbw for 14, leaving South Africa reeling at 81/5 in the 20th over.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt held one end steady, accumulating 70 runs off 111 balls, hitting eight boundaries, while keeping the scoreboard ticking amid mounting pressure. She found support in Chloe Tryon, who added 61 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership. Despite the mounting asking rate, the duo steadied the chase until an inspired bowling change by India’s Harmanpreet Kaur brought Kranti Gaud back to remove Wolvaardt with a precise yorker.

With the required run rate climbing to 19 per over, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk forged a 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket. De Klerk’s attacking intent saw South Africa reach 200 by the end of the 45th over, needing 52 from 30 balls. She struck Sneh Rana for a six followed by a boundary, and although an LBW appeal went against her via DRS, she kept her composure, completing a 40-ball half-century to guide South Africa to a thrilling victory.

The match had been delayed by an hour due to rain and a wet outfield, but the Proteas displayed resilience and composure under pressure to chase down the target with seven balls to spare, finishing at 252/7 in 48.5 overs.

Brief Scores:

• India 251 all out in 49.5 overs (Richa Ghosh 94, Pratika Rawal 37, Sneh Rana 33; Chloe Tryon 3-32, Marizanne Kapp 2-45, Nadine de Klerk 2-52)
• South Africa 252/7 in 48.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 70, Chloe Tryon 49, Nadine de Klerk 84 not out; Kranti Gaud 2-59, Sneh Rana 2-47)

This remarkable contest showcased the resilience, tactical acumen, and explosive finishing abilities of South Africa’s lower order, particularly Nadine de Klerk, who once again proved why she is one of the most dangerous all-rounders in the world. The Proteas’ victory, coming after their defeat against England in the opening match, reinforces their credentials as strong contenders in the ICC Women’s World Cup.