South Africa crushed Sri Lanka by ten wickets in a rain-shortened World Cup encounter in Colombo, delivering a clinical display with both bat and ball that left the hosts’ semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.
South Africa powered to their fourth successful chase of the tournament, this time in the easiest fashion possible. Chasing a modest target of 106 under the DLS method, openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits coasted to victory with 5.1 overs to spare, leaving Sri Lanka battered and winless. Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten 60 while Brits supported her with 55 not out, as the pair posted their highest opening stand of the tournament and ensured South Africa finished with ten wickets in hand.
The game, originally a 20-over contest per side after a lengthy rain delay of over five hours, saw Sri Lanka’s innings stutter badly. Electing to bat first in home conditions, they were 37 for 2 after ten overs before the heavens opened. Once play resumed, they managed only 105 for 7, with Vishmi Gunaratne providing the only notable resistance with 34 runs. South Africa’s bowlers, especially Nonkululeko Mlaba who claimed 3 for 30, ensured that Sri Lanka’s late charge never materialized. Masabata Klaas chipped in with 2 for 18, continuing her excellent form.
Sri Lanka’s innings had its struggles right from the start. Gunaratne was struck painfully on her knee by a throw while running between the wickets and had to be stretchered off, although she bravely returned later to bat. Captain Chamari Athapaththu looked out of sorts and was trapped lbw by Klaas after a scratchy stay, leaving Sri Lanka reeling. Hasini Perera was bowled by a superb away-swinger from Klaas, and Harshitha Samarawickrama’s edge narrowly fell short of the slips before she too was dismissed. Rain then forced the players off, stalling Sri Lanka’s already shaky progress.
When play resumed after hours of interruption, Sri Lanka attempted a counterattack, with Kavisha Dilhari smacking a six off Mlaba. However, their aggression came at a cost. Wickets tumbled rapidly, with Mlaba striking twice in quick succession and Nadine de Klerk also contributing with disciplined bowling. Gunaratne returned to add some quick boundaries, but with wickets falling around her, Sri Lanka failed to reach a competitive score. Mlaba’s late strikes, including dismissing Gunaratne and Nilakshika de Silva, left the hosts deflated and handed South Africa control.
Chasing under lights, South Africa’s opening pair, who had struggled earlier in the tournament, showed perfect poise. Wolvaardt, who had already registered a fifty in this World Cup, looked in complete command. She unfurled elegant cover drives, flicks, and straight hits to dominate the Sri Lankan attack. Brits, under pressure after consecutive ducks, took her time before breaking free with a massive six off Inoka Ranaweera. From there, the pair never looked back.
The duo rotated the strike well and punished loose deliveries, with Dilhari’s expensive third over proving decisive as 18 runs came off it. Wolvaardt reached her fifty with ease, while Brits brought up her half-century by finishing the match in style, smashing a six over midwicket. Their unbeaten 121-run stand not only sealed victory but also lifted South Africa’s morale, even though their net run-rate remains negative after the opening defeat to England.
For Sri Lanka, the loss leaves their semi-final hopes in tatters. With only two points from washouts and no wins so far, they must win their remaining matches and rely on other results to have any chance of qualification. The team’s inability to replicate their strong batting display against New Zealand exposed a lack of consistency under pressure. Injuries, poor shot selection, and rain interruptions all played a role, but their fielding and bowling lacked the intensity needed against a confident South African side.
South Africa, meanwhile, can look ahead with renewed optimism. Four successful chases and dominant performances from their openers suggest they are peaking at the right time. Mlaba’s continued wicket-taking form and Klaas’s early breakthroughs have also bolstered their attack. As the tournament edges closer to the knockout stages, South Africa’s convincing win sends a strong message to their rivals.
