Uncertainty looms as South Africa look for big win

Win or go home. In fact, not even victory might be enough with net runrate lurking like a mugger in an alley and holding a large lead pipe of an equation.

Australia are already in the T20 World Cup semifinals. But South Africa will hope that won't make them any less eager to beat India in the second game of a doubleheader at Lord's on Sunday. Because an Indian win would in all likelihood kick the South Africans out of the running for the semis, even if Laura Wolvaardt's team beat Bangladesh in the day's first match.

Small wonder, when Tazmin Brits was asked during a press conference in Bristol on Thursday – after she had scored 114 not out to blast South Africa to victory over the Netherlands – whether Sunday would be the first time in her life she would support Australia, she took a deep breath and replied: "Indeed."

Another of the South Africans' hopes will be that the Bangladeshis aren't up for a fight considering they will probably be sent packing even if they win. South Africa, by contrast, will be determined to inflict as big a thumping as possible. They will know that, if India beat the Aussies, they will have to vastly improve their current NRR of 0.734 to nudge past the Indians – whose NRR is a healthy 2.268.

If Australia win all South Africa will need to do to reach the final four is beat opponents they have been victorious against a dozen times in their 14 completed T20Is. They will want to think the fact that Bangladesh have never played a match of any sort at what can be an imposing venue will work in their favour.

That said, the South Africans could fall victim to the same kind of awe. They have the experience of two ODIs at the most grandiose ground in cricket. But those games were played in 1997 and 2008. No members of the current squad were around then. That's probably no bad thing. England won by seven wickets in 1997. In 2008 they piled up 310/3 and bowled the suffering Saffers out for 85.

"It was overwhelming because we didn't always get to play at such beautiful venues as Lord's," Claire Terblanche, who suffered a first-baller at the hands of Katherine Brunt in the 2008 match and is South Africa's current assistant coach, told a press conference on Saturday.

South Africa have come a long way since then. They have reached the final of the last three World Cups, both formats considered, albeit they have yet to win a title. They should have the measure of a Bangladesh side who, at this tournament, have beaten the struggling Dutch and Pakistan but come unstuck against stronger Australia and India.

The South Africans were all at sea in taking a proper hiding from the Aussies. A nervy win over Pakistan left their supporters unconvinced that they would survive the first round. Then they got their act together impressively to beat India, and cruised, as expected, to victory over the Netherlands.

And so to the harsh realities that will present themselves at Lord's on Sunday. The Indians will at least know, before their match, what they will need to do. Not so the South Africans. Even if they know there is a mugger around they will have no idea of the size of the lead pipe they hold. But walk through the alley they must.

When: Sunday, June 28, 2026, 10.30am local/11.30am SA time/3pm IST

What to expect: The heat of the past few days is expected to dissipate. This is only the second match of the tournament to be played at this ground. In the other game England made 186/7 and West Indies replied with 148/5. Both the weather and what has happened before here gives the bowlers reasons to feel cheerful.

Bangladesh: The XI who beat Pakistan and gave India a decent go deserves to be retained.

Possible XI: Juairiya Ferdous, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akthter, Nigar Sultana (capt), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter.

South Africa: Don't mess with the XI who downed India and the Netherlands.

Possible XI: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk, Sinalo Jafta, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

• Bangladesh failed to reach the knockout stages in all of their previous five T20 World Cup campaigns.
• In their nine visits to the tournament before the current edition, South Africa were beaten semifinalists twice and made it to two finals – both of them lost.
• South Africa have won all three T20 World Cup matches between these teams.

"They make us feel that women's cricket is special, and that women are important for Bangladesh." – Nigar Sultana on the passionate support her team have enjoyed during the tournament.

"First thing the players did was whip out their phones to take pictures and videos. They're very excited to be at Lord's." – Claire Terblanche says the occasion has not gone unmarked.