South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women, New Zealand Women tour of South Africa 2023, Today Match Prediction 24 September 2023

rsaw vs nzw Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the first game of the three-match series and hosts South Africa Women will look to take an early lead against New Zealand Women. The South Africans are 6th on the  ICC Championship rankings and want to use this home series to improve their standing. New Zealand Women have lost the last two series and must do well here to move up on the points table.  

South Africa Women have a good record against New Zealand Women and have won the last four games against them. The side plays at home and the players know these conditions well. New Zealand Women haven’t had a great run in ODIs in recent months and it will be interesting to see if they can rise to the challenge in this game.  

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Women Preview

Laura Wolvaardt’s side did well in their last tour of Pakistan, winning it 2-1. The batters looked in good form in that series and now returning home they would look to continue with the same form. Wolvaardt would want her side to use the home advantage and start the series with a win.  

Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits have batted well together at the top and the side will need a good show. The middle order is strong for the team and they will expect a good show from Lara Goodall, Sune Luus, and Marizanne Kapp. Nadine de Klerk,  Delmi Tucket, and Sinalo Jafta must do the heavy lifting towards the end to put up a big score on the board.  

The side will need early wickets in this game from Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka to put the Kiwi girls under pressure. Nadine de Klerk and Masabata Klaas had done well against Pakistan and the same would be expected from them in this game. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tucker shall look to do well in the supporting role in this contest.

South Africa Women Predicted Playing XI:

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sinalo Jafta (wk), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Delmi Tucker, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba

New Zealand Women Preview

Sophie Devine will look to get over the series loss against Sri Lanka a couple of months back. They failed to meet expectations and went down 1-2. The side has a poor record against South Africa in recent years. Devine will need a spirited performance from her players to win this game.  

The side will need a good start in this game from Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Suzie Bates as they will face a strong bowling attack. Sophie Devine has a lot of experience and she must do well in the middle order with Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green. The side will like runs from Georgia Plimmer and Hannah Rowe towards the end.   

Lea Tahuhu and Fran Jonas must bowl tight spells upfront as the South Africans shall come hard at them in this game. Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold are doing well this year and the side will need good spells from them. Eden Carson, Kerr, and Bates complete a strong bowling attack for the team. 

New Zealand Women Predicted Playing XI:

Sophie Devine (c), Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Georgia Plimmer, Maddy Green, Eden Carson, Molly Penfold, Fran Jonas

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There is a forecast for cloudy skies on September 24 at Potchefstroom and this will aid the fast bowlers. The wicket is good to bat on as the ball comes nicely onto the bat. The side batting first in this game shall eye a total of 260 runs or more.

Venue Details

Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, has been known to be a good ground for the batters. With comparatively shorter boundaries compared to other venues in the country, batters have liked playing here. The ball also tends to do a bit in the initial overs, which will encourage the fast bowlers. 

Toss: To Bat

It is a small ground and a good surface to bat on if the batsmen can see through their initial overs. Chasing scores is a problem as the wicket gets slower in the second innings. The side winning the toss shall like to bat first in this game.