South Africa look to keep winning as Pakistan hope to make a late charge

IT WAS Aristotle who suggested that excellence is not an act but a habit. He argued that we become what we do consistently.

Consistency is very important. For example, imagine recommending a restaurant to someone you are eager to impress as you rave about one particular dish. Then, one day, you finally manage to take your friend to the restaurant, only to find that they have changed the recipe and the meal served is rather ordinary. How deflating.

However, the South African Women’s team have not left their supporters deflated. By qualifying for the penultimate round of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the Proteas Women have achieved a remarkable milestone — reaching the semi-finals at five consecutive World Cup tournaments. That’s consistency right there.

Even the four-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks haven’t matched that feat.

The national women’s cricket side has now made the semi-finals at two editions of the 50-over World Cup and three T20 World Cups since 2020, marking one of the most consistent runs in South African team sport.

The final semi-final spot is still up for grabs

While South Africa, Australia, and England have already booked their semi-final berths, a fierce battle remains for the last available slot.

India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan all remain in mathematical contention, with seven league matches still to be played.

Despite Pakistan not having recorded a win so far, two rain-affected washouts have earned them valuable points and kept their hopes alive.

For Pakistan to progress, they must win both remaining matches — against South Africa and Sri Lanka — by significant margins to boost their net run rate, and hope that New Zealand fail to win again. They also need India to lose their last two matches to force a four-way tie on six points, with net run rate deciding the fourth semi-finalist.

That’s not the Proteas’ problem

But whatever permutations the Pakistan team are calculating, fresh from their fourth consecutive ODI win, a dominant performance over Sri Lanka, the Proteas enter this contest brimming with momentum.

Opening bowler Masabata Klaas, who has been central to their success, said the team will stick to what’s been working.

“To be honest, we are ready and we're just going to keep on doing what's been working for us,” Klaas told reporters on Monday.

“We have the positive mindset of winning (Tuesday's) game. Pakistan are a strong team. We cannot just go there and think that it’s going to be a walk in the park. But one thing that's going to work for us is to stick to the basics and do what we've been doing from day one of the World Cup.

"So, we're not going to take them for granted. Every game is important to us.”

The Proteas are currently third in the standings with eight points — one behind leaders Australia and England. India currently occupies the final play-off position, four points back.

Pakistan’s hunger meets South Africa’s firepower

Pakistan enter the match knowing exactly what is required: win big or go home.

Their bowlers, led by Fatima Sana, have been the team’s most consistent performers. In their last outing, Pakistan had England under serious pressure, reducing them to a low total before rain washed out what looked like a winnable chase.

That display showed the kind of discipline and control Pakistan will need again — and more — against one of the most balanced batting units in the tournament.

If conditions stay tricky for batters, Pakistan will believe they can compete. Low-scoring games tend to favour their strengths, and it was under similar conditions that they last defeated South Africa, in Lahore about a month ago.

Proteas finding rhythm at the right time

For the South Africans, though, recent form suggests they are peaking just as the tournament reaches its decisive phase.

Sri Lanka discovered the hard way on Friday just how punishing the Proteas’ top order can be. The team have rebounded impressively from the shock of being bowled out for 69 in their opening match, and now looks settled and confident.

Spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has been one of the standout performers. She has taken 11 wickets at an average of 15.18, conceding just 4.63 runs per over. Pakistan’s batters will know that even if they weather the new-ball attack, they will still have to contend with one of the world’s most astute spinners later in the innings.

History and conditions favour South Africa

Since 2020, the two sides have met 10 times, with South Africa winning eight of those matches. Pakistan’s two victories both came on home soil.

Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, however, has been hit by heavy rains throughout the week. Both sides will hope the weather clears long enough for a full match, but this is especially true for Pakistan, as any washout would all but end their hopes of advancing.

The match is scheduled to start at 11.30am South African time.