Colombo: South Africa made light of Sri Lanka by a 10-wicket triumph in a DLS rain-reduced 20-over game, securing an impregnable second place on the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 points table at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket, the victory dashed Sri Lanka’s hopes of making the semi-finals. South African openers, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt with an impressive 60 off 47 balls, including eight boundaries, and Tazmin Brits with a strong 55 off 42 balls, including two sixes, chased down the target seamlessly. Their unbeaten 125-run stand off 14.5 overs overshadowed Sri Lanka’s 105 for 7 in the revised 20 overs.

The rain-affected conditions posed challenges for the Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly in gripping the ball, which the South African openers capitalized on. Sri Lanka’s batting faltered, with opener Vishmi Gunaratne contributing the only substantial score of 34 before being sidelined by an injury. Other batters, including Hasini Perera, Chamari Atapaththu, and Kavishka Dilhari, failed to make significant contributions.

South Africa’s bowlers, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Masabata Klaas, were instrumental in restricting the Sri Lankan lineup, taking three and two wickets respectively, while Nadine de Klerk chipped in with one wicket.

South Africa’s emphatic win, with a scoreline of 121 for 0 compared to Sri Lanka’s 105 for 7, highlights their formidable presence in the tournament as they leapfrog England to secure the second spot.