South Africa is poised to make history as they aim to clinch the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 trophy in Navi Mumbai. Following a powerful performance by India, featuring impressive half-centuries from Shafali Verma (87 off 78 balls) and Deepti Sharma (58 off 58 balls), the host nation posted a formidable total of 298 for seven at the DY Patil Stadium. This score marks the second-highest total ever recorded in a Women’s ODI World Cup final, only surpassed by Australia Women’s dominant 356/5 against England in 2022.
The task ahead for South Africa is unprecedented: chasing nearly 300 runs in a championship match, a feat no team has yet accomplished in the Women’s World Cup final. The existing record for the highest successful run chase in a Women’s World Cup final stands significantly lower at 167 runs, achieved by England against New Zealand in the 2009 edition.
Australia also features prominently on this list with two successful chases: 165 against New Zealand in 1997 and 152 against England in 1982. Their 1988 final victory similarly came while batting second, as they successfully chased England’s total of 129.
Highest successful chases in Women’s World Cup finals:
- 167 – England vs New Zealand (2009) in Sydney
- 165 – Australia vs New Zealand (1997) in Kolkata
- 152 – Australia vs England (1982) in Christchurch
- 129 – Australia vs England (1988) in Melbourne
Since the tournament’s inception in 1973, teams batting first have historically held a significant advantage in these high-stakes summit clashes. Chasing a target in such intense, high-pressure scenarios has consistently proven to be a considerable challenge, testing not just skill but also nerves and composure. Across 12 editions, only four times has a team managed a successful chase in a Women’s World Cup final. With India having set a monumental target, all eyes are on South Africa to defy these historical trends and etch their name in the record books. As the chase unfolds under the floodlights of Navi Mumbai, the Proteas face not only India’s formidable bowling attack but also the weight of decades of World Cup history favoring the team batting first.