The ICC has officially released the fixtures for the ICC Women’s World Cup, with South Africa set to face England in their opening match. The two cricketing powerhouses will meet in Bengaluru, India, marking an exciting start to the tournament.
Each team will play seven matches during the league phase. The Proteas will play five of their seven group fixtures in India, with the remaining two taking place in Sri Lanka. South Africa’s matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be held in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Pakistan will play all of their group-stage games on home soil due to ongoing political tensions between Pakistan and India.
South Africa’s second match will be against New Zealand, a team they’ll be eager to beat after losing to them in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. On 9 October, the Proteas will take on tournament co-hosts India in what promises to be another highly anticipated clash.
The opening match against England will be particularly intriguing, as both sides are entering a new era without their leading pace bowlers. South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail has retired from international cricket, while England no longer has the formidable duo of Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Sciver-Brunt.
If the Proteas hope to kick off their campaign on a high note, they’ll need to overcome England, the same team that knocked them out in the semi-finals of the previous World Cup in New Zealand. South Africa will wrap up their group stage with a showdown against defending champions Australia on 25 October.
