Follow UsSouth Africa Women endured one of their most horrific games in white-ball cricket this century today in Guwahati as they got bowled out for 69 against England Women, making it their second-lowest total in World Cup history. A scarcely-believable two hours saw wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta being the only South African batter to cross double digits.
In the process, South Africa Women scripted unwanted history as this was the first instance in 20 years of a team losing each of its top five batters for single-digit scores in a Women’s 50-over World Cup encounter. The last such instance came in 2005 when Sri Lanka lost all its top five batters for single-digit scores, coincidentally against England Women, in Pretoria.
Instances this century of Top 5 batters falling for single-digit scores in a Women's World Cup game
South Africa W vs England W in Guwahati, 2025*
Sri Lanka W vs England W in Pretoria, 2005
Instances this century of 9+ batters getting dismissed for 6 or less in a Women's 50-over World Cup Game
South Africa W vs England W in Guwahati, 2025*
West Indies W vs South Africa W in Leicester, 2017
West Indies W vs England W in Mumbai, 2013
Sri Lanka W vs England W in Pretoria, 2005
On the day, South Africa’s top five batters posted scores of 5, 5, 2, 4 & 6. In fact, wicketkeeper Jafta was the only South African batter to score more than 6 runs with the bat in hand. Extras (8) were the second-highest run-getters for South Africa in the clash today.
Overall, this was the eighth instance of Top 5 batters all falling for single-digit scores in a Women's World Cup game. It’s only the second time this unwanted feat has been achieved since the turn of the century.
As mentioned above, this is South Africa’s second-lowest total in 50-over World Cups. Their lowest was 51, and it came against New Zealand Women in Bowral in 2009.