Women's World Cup 2025: Laura Wolvaardt feels sold-out Navi Mumbai venue will put added pressure on India

Published - 01 Nov 2025, 23:25 IST | Updated - 01 Nov 2025, 23:25 IST

South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt believes India might encounter additional nerves due to the expected capacity crowd at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2.

Wolvaardt expressed that the intensified expectations from the opposition could make them play into South Africa's hands. However, she also praised the quality which the Indian outfit possesses and commented that South Africa will have to be at the top of their game to compete against the co-hosts.

"I think [with] the whole crowd behind India, probably a sold-out stadium, it's going to be a very exciting opportunity. But at the same time, I think it puts a lot of pressure on them as well. They have the whole country behind them, and sort of expect them to win. I think it sort of plays in our favour, hopefully. They're a very good side. We're going to have to play some really good cricket to beat them," stated Wolvaardt, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The top-order batter remarked on how she would earlier be result-oriented when playing a final. She pointed out that staying in the future will be more helpful than anything on an occasion as high-stakes like the final of the Women's World Cup.

"I think for me, personally, I'm really trying not to think about the result. I think in those finals - or the first time I was in the final - you automatically think about the trophy and think about winning, and sort of get excited. Now I'm just really trying to stay [in the] present. We still have a really big game ahead of us against a really quality side. I'm trying not to think too far ahead; just really sort of slow it down. We're going to need to slow down and take a big breath, and hope we're able to do that as a group," she added.

South Africa finished the league phase with 10 points from seven matches and ended up third on the table. They secured their berth in the final by defeating England by a whopping 125-run margin in Guwahati.

Wolvaardt played a stunning 143-ball 169-run knock in the semi-final as the Proteas ended up with 319/7 on the board against England. Marizanne Kapp starred with the ball with a five-wicket haul (5/20 in 7 overs) as South Africa bundled out England for a meagre 194 in 42.3 overs.