For teams that have qualified for the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup, the conclusion of the round-robin phase presents a chance to fine-tune plans and refine the rough edges. Australia and South Africa will aim to do exactly that when they go head-to-head at the Holkar Stadium here on Saturday.

As things stand, Australia occupies top spot in the eight-team standings with 11 points in six games. The South Africans, led by opener Laura Wolvaardt, are second with 10 points. The winner of the joust will finish first and get to face the fourth-placed team in the semifinals.

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Interestingly, this isn’t a match-up backed by rich history. They have faced each other only 18 times in the 50-over format, of which South Africa has prevailed just once, and their last meeting came in February 2024. But with South Africa getting the better of Australia in the semifinal of last year’s T20 World Cup, there is anticipation of a closer contest unfolding in Indore.

For Australia, skipper Alyssa Healy’s recovery from a calf strain is being monitored closely. In Healy’s absence against England, Tahlia McGrath took over the reins. “Healy is still a bit of a day by day case. We’ll see how it pans out,” McGrath said at Friday’s pre-match press conference.

While the defending champion eased past England on Wednesday to maintain its unbeaten run in the event, the 29-year-old admitted her side was yet to play the “perfect game”.

If South Africa is to deny Australia, it would need Wolvaardt and the all-round duo of Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk to fire. According to top-order batter Anneke Bosch, it is also about doing the basics right.

“Australia is the best team in the world. You have to do the basics really well,” Bosch said. “If you can do that for longer, you can be successful.”

Published on Oct 24, 2025