South Africa’s best XI for the Women’s ODI series against Pakistan

South African women’s cricket team embarks on their final preparation phase for the upcoming Women’s World Cup with a crucial three-match ODI series against Pakistan, scheduled to take place from September 16 to September 22, 2025. This tour to Pakistan represents a significant milestone for the Proteas as they fine-tune their combination ahead of the marquee tournament, with all matches being played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt leads a formidable 15-member squad featuring a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents, as South Africa seeks to build on their impressive recent performances that saw them reach consecutive T20 World Cup finals. The series holds immense importance for both teams, with Pakistan entering on the back of an unbeaten run at the 2025 Qualifier, while South Africa aims to address their mixed ODI form in 2025.

Schedule and strategic importance for World Cup preparation

The three-match ODI series kicks off on Monday, September 16, with subsequent matches on Friday, September 19, and Monday, September 22, all scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM local time. This series serves as the Proteas’ penultimate preparation before heading to India for the Women’s World Cup, making it crucial for finalizing their playing combinations and strategies.

The historical context adds another layer of significance to this encounter. South Africa hold a commanding head-to-head record against Pakistan in ODIs, having won 21 out of 28 matches played between the two sides, representing a 75% win rate. Their most recent encounter in Pakistan was in 2023, where the Proteas secured a 2-1 series victory. This dominant record provides psychological advantage as South Africa seeks to maintain their supremacy ahead of the World Cup campaign.

The timing of this series is particularly strategic for both teams. Pakistan enters with tremendous confidence after winning all five matches at the 2025 Qualifier, led by captain Fatima Sana who impressed with 12 wickets across those fixtures. Meanwhile, South Africa’s recent ODI form shows room for improvement with only three wins in seven matches in 2025, making this series vital for building momentum.

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South Africa’s best XI for the ODI series against Pakistan

1. Laura Wolvaardt (Captain)

• Role: Opening batter
• Strength: Elegant stroke-maker with exceptional temperament, currently ranked as one of the world’s premier ODI batters with over 4500 international runs.
• Expectations: Lead from the front with substantial contributions at the top of the order while guiding the team’s strategic approach throughout the series.

2. Tazmin Brits

• Role: Opening batter
• Strength: Explosive right-handed opener with 1147 ODI runs and proven ability to accelerate scoring rates, particularly effective against pace bowling.
• Expectations: Provide aggressive starts alongside Wolvaardt and capitalize on powerplay overs with her natural attacking instincts.

3. Anneke Bosch

• Role: Top-order batter
• Strength: Versatile right-handed batter with crucial big-match experience, demonstrated through her match-winning 74* in the T20 World Cup semi-final.
• Expectations: Anchor the middle order and provide stability during challenging phases while converting starts into substantial scores.

4. Marizanne Kapp

• Role: All-rounder
• Strength: World-class all-rounder with over 3000 runs and 200 international wickets, renowned for her ability to swing the new ball and finish innings.
• Expectations: Deliver with both bat and ball, particularly in death overs bowling and lower-middle order acceleration phases.

5. Chloe Tryon

• Role: All-rounder
• Strength: Dynamic middle-order hitter and handy left-arm spinner, recently achieved the rare feat of scoring a fifty and taking a hat-trick in the same ODI.
• Expectations: Provide explosive hitting ability in the middle overs and contribute valuable spinning options in favourable conditions.

6. Sune Luus

• Role: All-rounder
• Strength: Experienced leg-break bowler with 116 ODI wickets and reliable middle-order batting, including two six-wicket hauls in ODI cricket.
• Expectations: Control the middle overs with her leg-spin variations and provide crucial runs in partnership-building situations.

7. Nadine de Klerk

• Role: All-rounder
• Strength: Versatile medium-pacer with useful lower-order batting ability, capable of bowling the heavy ball with multiple variations.
• Expectations: Support the pace attack effectively and contribute valuable late-order runs when required for team balance.

8. Sinalo Jafta (Wicket-Keeper)

• Role: Wicket-keeper batter
• Strength: Reliable glovework behind the stumps with improving batting credentials, providing stability in the lower middle order.
• Expectations: Maintain high standards of wicket-keeping while contributing useful runs and supporting bowling changes tactically.

9. Ayabonga Khaka

• Role: Fast bowler
• Strength: Experienced right-arm medium pacer with 134 ODI wickets, excellent control and ability to extract movement from any surface.
• Expectations: Lead the pace attack with disciplined line and length while taking crucial wickets during powerplay and death overs.

10. Nonkululeko Mlaba

• Role: Spin bowler
• Strength: Left-arm orthodox spinner with exceptional recent form, currently the second-highest wicket-taker at the 2024 T20 World Cup with 12 scalps.
• Expectations: Exploit subcontinental conditions effectively and provide crucial breakthroughs during middle overs while maintaining economical bowling figures.

11. Masabata Klaas

• Role: Fast bowler
• Strength: Consistent right-arm medium pacer with 80 ODI wickets and reliable performance record, particularly effective in supporting roles.
• Expectations: Complement the pace attack with disciplined bowling spells and provide depth to South Africa’s seam bowling options.

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