South Africa Women Stun West Indies by 166 Runs in DLS‑Decided ODI

When Tazmin Brits smashed a century at the Three Ws Oval, the result was a 166‑run drubbing of the hosts under the DLS method – a win that clinched the series for South Africa Women on June 17, 2025.

The match, the third ODI of the South Africa Women's tour of West Indies 2025Three Ws Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, began at 7:30 pm IST (2:00 pm GMT). Rain swooped in early, forcing officials to invoke the Duckworth‑Lewis‑Stern (DLS) formula and reset the target to 288 runs for the chasers.

Match Overview and Result

South Africa piled up 288‑9, anchored by Laura Wolvaardt’s elegant 75 and the explosive 101 from Brits. The South African bowlers, led by Masabata Klaas, who claimed 4 for 25, bundled West Indies out for a meagre 122‑6 in a rain‑shortened chase.

West Indies Women, captained by Hayley Matthews, never found rhythm. A collapse to 40‑6 left them far behind the required run‑rate, and even a late‑stage partnership between Jahzara Claxton (43 off 31) and Afy Fletcher (3 off 5) could not overturn the deficit.

Pitch Conditions and How They Shaped the Game

The Three Ws Oval traditionally offers a balanced contest, but the morning moisture added extra swing. Fast bowlers extracted movement, especially in the middle overs, which proved decisive for Klaas and her compatriots.

Historically, the venue has seen scores swing between 200 and over 300. The average of the last five matches sits at 271 runs – right around the total South Africa posted, suggesting the pitch rewarded both solid batting and disciplined bowling.

• Consistent bounce – batsmen can trust the surface.
• Late‑session moisture – a boon for seamers.
• Average first‑innings total: 271 runs.

Key Performances and Turning Points

Brits’ century was the headline, but the innings was built on partnerships. After a shaky start, she and Wolvaardt added 120 runs for the second wicket, stabilising the chase.

On the bowling side, Klaas’ four‑wicket haul came in a spell of 2.1 overs where she bewitched the batters with a mix of outswing and a deceptive slower ball. Non‑major wicket‑takers like Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled a tidy spell of 7 overs, 1 maiden, 2 for 25 at an economy of 3.57, adding pressure.

For West Indies, the only bright spot was Claxton’s quick‑fire 43, but she was left with a mountain of 168 runs required from the final 12 overs – an impossible ask given the 4.44 run‑rate they were actually on.

Impact on Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualification

The series win nudges South Africa into the upper tier of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 qualifying table. With three points secured and a net run‑rate boost, the Proteas are now in a stronger position to clinch a direct berth. The hosts, meanwhile, will need to win the upcoming T20I series to stay alive in the qualification race.

Cricket analysts note that the decisive victory demonstrates South Africa’s depth in both top order and death‑over bowling – qualities that will be tested in the World Cup’s group stage.

Future Fixtures and What Lies Ahead

The next encounter is a T20I slated for June 23, 2025, at the same venue, where the hosts chased down a modest 113‑6 with Hayley Matthews’ unbeaten 63 leading the way. That match, however, ended in a low‑scoring affair, indicating that the pitch can still be a bowler’s playground under over‑cast conditions.

Both teams will likely tweak their line‑ups: South Africa may give more overs to all‑rounder Marizanne Kapp, while West Indies could look to spin options like Afy Fletcher to exploit any late‑day turn.

In short, the series has set the tone for what could be a fiercely contested World Cup qualifying campaign, with the Three Ws Oval now etched in memory as the ground where South Africa proved its mettle.

Key Facts

• Result: South Africa Women won by 166 runs (DLS).
• Top scorer: Tazmin Brits – 101 runs.
• Best bowler: Masabata Klaas – 4/25.
• Venue: Three Ws Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.
• Series implication: Strengthened South Africa’s World Cup 2025 qualification chances.