As nations, there are several parallels one can draw between India and South Africa.
Both were European colonies that fought for their freedom, and both had remarkable social movements that changed the face of their cultural fabric. They are diverse nations with similar economic backbones in industry and agriculture, sharing a passion for cricket.
Come Sunday, both nations will find themselves intertwined once more, in a clash for ultimate One-Day glory this time, in the final of the Women's World Cup at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
This is new territory for the Proteas, who have made the semifinals thrice (2000, 2017, 2022). India, though, has fallen short of a coronation twice (2005, 2017).
ALSO READ | 'Know how losing feels, looking forward to winning': Skipper Harmanpreet ahead of India vs South Africa final
Captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Laura Wolvaardt concurred on entering this game with no baggage. India lost to South Africa courtesy of a blitz from Nadine de Klerk in the end. That game and the loss to England later exposed the home side's inability to finish matches, even from winning positions.
But the taming of mighty Australia was a massive shot in the arm for the Women in Blue. Not only did the batting order persevere -- not falling to the usual pattern of collapses the team is infamous for -- but its bowling too was impressive, propped up by the audacious zeal of youngsters like Kranti Goud and N. Shree Charani.
South Africa also brushed aside how a couple of losses in its league stage run with a dominant all-round thrashing of long-time bully England in the semifinal in Guwahati, orchestrated by Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp.
ALSO READ | Skipper Wolvaardt says pressure on India could work in South Africa's favour
India holds the aces in this clash with a batting order that looks terrifying in home conditions. Even though Smriti Mandhana -- the side's most prolific scorer in the format this year -- has blown hot and cold this tournament, perseverance from the middle and lower order has kept India comfortable. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet being among the runs further plump up India's case.
Renuka Singh's steady presence offers balance to the raw, growing pace of Kranti. If the semifinal played here is anything to go by -- even though the final is being played on the strip from the league fixture against New Zealand -- bowlers might not get much from the surface, with life getting harder when dew sets in. Tight lines and near-perfect fielding will be the immediate mandate.
The Proteas look to Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits for stability. After the 2022 World Cup, the duo has the most runs for an opening pair, having amassed 1858. The middle order featuring the likes of Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, and Sinalo Jafta, however, has not had a great run with the bat, even struggling to rotate strike when the opposition squeezes them for runs.
De Klerk and Chloe Tryon's spunk in the death has helped the Proteas survive several tense chases. Against an Indian side that is riding the high of a cherished win and a potential date with destiny while being propped up by a passionate home crowd, it will take something brave from the Proteas to make history.
TEAMS:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud. Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase. Reserves: Miane Smit
Published on Nov 01, 2025
Latest on Sportstar Live Blog 2025-11-01T19:23:41+05:30NFO 0-1 MUN LIVE score, Premier League 2025-26: Casemiro goal gives Manchester United lead at half-timeTeam SportstarIND vs SA: India, South Africa to fight for maiden silverware in Women's ODI World Cup 2025 finalLavanya Lakshmi Narayanan Live Blog 2025-11-01T20:09:24+05:30PAK vs SA LIVE score, 3rd T20I: South Africa loses early wickets; Pakistan wins toss, elects to bowlTeam SportstarREAD MORE STORIES