England vs South Africa Preview & Prediction | 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup | Group Stage

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

The 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup winners England have been dealt a tough first assignment here in 2025, taking on Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa.

Date & time:

Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India

Weather: A chance of thundery showers during play with a gentle breeze and temperatures in the late-twenties.

How to watch: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Willow TV

England vs South Africa prediction

Nat Sciver-Brunt may have hoped for an easier start to her first Women’s Cricket World Cup game as permanent England captain with an extremely dangerous South Africa on deck. The Proteas are usually seen as a side on the rung just below England, Australia and India when it comes to women’s cricket, but they would argue differently. Understandably so, having reached back-to-back T20 Women’s World Cup finals and now South Africa will be hoping for a deep run in the 50-over format.

This is a tough match to predict. England may have reached the final of this tournament back in 2022 but they lost three group games on the way. They are also notoriously poor against spin-bowling and playing in India could see them competing on some turning pitches. But Charlotte Edwards is an excellent coach and is expected to have her charges well-prepared for this challenge.

With Sciver-Brunt not set to bowl, it would be no surprise if she was to shine with the bat. A consistent top performer at previous WPLs in India, the experienced star is used to sub-continental conditions and remains one of the best batters in the world. Backing her to record over 38.5 match runs looks a good play.

England vs South Africa tip: Nat Sciver-Brunt to score over 38.5 match runs