World Cup 2025: New Zealand and South Africa Eye Redemption After Heavy Opening Losses

World Cup 2025: New Zealand and South Africa Eye Redemption After Heavy Opening Losses

After opening their 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup campaigns with heavy defeats, New Zealand and South Africa are set to face off in Indore on Monday in a crucial clash for both sides. This encounter comes almost a year after they met in the 2024 T20 World Cup final — but the stakes, and current form, are vastly different this time around.

Pressure to Bounce Back

New Zealand suffered an 89-run defeat to defending champions Australia in their opener, revealing persistent concerns about their batting depth. Despite a valiant 111 from captain Sophie Devine, the team crumbled while chasing a daunting 327. The White Ferns have now lost 10 of their last 15 ODIs and entered the World Cup without having played a single ODI in the preceding six months — a gap that has arguably impacted their match readiness.

South Africa’s start to the tournament was even more dramatic, bowled out for just 69 by England in Guwahati. Their second consecutive collapse in ODIs — after being dismissed for 115 against Pakistan — has put a spotlight on their fragile middle order. The Proteas now face a must-win scenario to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Form Guide

  • New Zealand: L W W L L

  • South Africa: L L W W W

Spotlight: Tazmin Brits and Suzie Bates

Tazmin Brits has been in red-hot form in 2025, with four centuries and an average of 81 from ten ODIs this year. Alongside captain Laura Wolvaardt, who has also been consistent, the South African opening pair has the firepower to set up strong platforms — if they can withstand early pressure.

For New Zealand, veteran Suzie Bates is set to make her 350th international appearance, a landmark achievement in women’s cricket. Despite a duck in the previous match, Bates has shown signs of form with three half-centuries in her last seven innings. Monday’s game offers her a chance to make the milestone memorable and provide stability to a top order that includes Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr.

Selection Watch

South Africa may be tempted to recall allrounder Annerie Dercksen, who has been one of their more effective batters in recent times. Dercksen, one of only four South Africans to score an ODI century since 2024, was left out for Anneke Bosch in the last match — a decision that may be revisited.

Probable XI – South Africa:
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch/Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

New Zealand, despite the loss, are unlikely to make changes. Injured left-arm spinner Flora Devonshire has been replaced in the squad by seamer Hannah Rowe, but the team is expected to retain the same XI for their second game.

Probable XI – New Zealand:
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Graze (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Bree Illing

Conditions and Venue

Indore’s pitch proved to be a batter’s paradise in the opening game, with Australia racking up 326. A different surface will be used for Monday’s match, and recent rain could influence conditions. With overcast skies and hazy sunshine forecast, swing bowlers may have some early assistance.

As Suzie Bates noted, adaptability will be key:

“It's all about who adapts the best tomorrow because it is a different wicket, and it can play differently.”

Key Stats

  • Suzie Bates is 104 runs away from reaching 6000 ODI runs — a milestone only two other women have achieved.

  • Marizanne Kapp (169 wickets) is two away from entering the top five all-time wicket-takers in women’s ODIs.

  • Wolvaardt and Brits have combined for nine ODI centuries since the start of 2024.

  • New Zealand have failed to score 300 in an ODI since the beginning of 2024.

What They Said

“For us as a batting unit, it's to just literally knuckle down and bat. Don't think too much about the outcome. Just take it one ball at a time.”
— Sinalo Jafta, South Africa wicketkeeper

“It’s a huge advantage… not only playing in the same conditions, but not having to travel after that game.”
— Suzie Bates, on New Zealand staying put in Indore