ICC Women's World Cup 2013 New Zealand vs South Africa Live Score

South Africa will hope for a change in fortunes as they look to forget the performances of their previous two outings in the World Cup – the team was placed sixth in 2005 and lost all three group games in 2009. South Africa made their first World Cup appearance in 1997, and reached the quarterfinals. Their best World Cup performance remains the semifinal showing in the 2000 event.

Today's Match: 3rd Feb 2013

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Led by Mignon du Preez, South Africa are coming off a tour of West Indies in which they drew the five-match One-Day International series 2-2, with one match rained out. They lost both Twenty20 Internationals on the tour, but they batted in conditions that will be similar to the ones faced in India, and gained valuable acclimatisation.

South Africa had acquitted themselves well in subcontinent conditions before the West Indies tour too, winning by 2-1 margins on tour against Bangladesh in ODIs and T20Is in September 2012.

Their main worry is the fragile batting order. The opening duo of Trisha Chetty and Shandre Fritz were in woeful form against West Indies, and the middle-order hasn’t inspired too much confidence either, with du Preez being the only exception. Cri-Zelda Brits, the former captain, who is making a comeback after taking a year’s break from international cricket, holds out hope though. Brits has more than a decade-worth of experience, and her contribution will be a crucial part of South Africa’ middle order.

The silver lining for South Africa is the current form of their bowling line-up. Dane van Nieker, the 19-year old legspinner, bagged a five-wicket haul to help them tide over West Indies with a comfortable 80-run win in the first ODI. Niekerk took a hat-trick and achieved career-best figures of 5 for 28.

Sunette Loubser, a spinner with good control, will also be a useful asset to the side. In the second ODI against West Indies, her eight overs went for just 11 runs and she scalped four wickets.

The new-ball pair of Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail had a good series against Bangladesh and South Africa will hope for more of the same from both, with Kapp also capable of chipping in with the bat.

South Africa are yet to play a tournament in India, and the World Cup will be their first outing in the country. Clubbed with Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in Group B, South Africa will at least target a Super Six spot.