CSA Women’s Division 2 2025: Rain Disrupts Opening Day as North West, KZN Inland Win

CSA Women’s Division 2 2025: Rain Disrupts Day One of Women’s National Week as Dragons and KZN Inland Secure Key Wins

The opening day of the CSA Women’s Division 2 2025 got off to a frustrating start in Bloemfontein on Saturday as weather played the villain, cutting short what was expected to be a highly competitive first day of South Africa’s Women’s National Week cricket showcase. As the tournament carries extra weight this season with promotion to the top-flight Pro Series on the line for the first time since the professionalisation of women’s domestic cricket, every result matters. But unfortunately, persistent rain ensured that only two of the five scheduled fixtures on day one reached a conclusion.

Despite the inclement weather, Glencore North West Dragons and KZN Inland women’s team made the most of their shortened encounters, each securing crucial early wins in their pursuit of promotion from the Division 2 cricket promotion CSA setup. With the new tournament format separating teams into two pools of five, the competition runs across both 50-over and T20 matches. However, it is only the One-Day matches that will count towards promotion standings making every result in the longer format especially significant.

Weather Woes and Missed Opportunities

Three out of the five matches on the opening day Eastern Province vs Limpopo, Northern Cape vs Easterns, and Mpumalanga vs Border were all called off due to unplayable conditions. For teams eager to gain early momentum, this was a bitter pill, particularly considering the tight competition for a spot in next season’s Pro Series. With only four more days left to stake their claim, the pressure now ramps up for the sides yet to play a complete match.

Yet in all the disruption, the importance of squad depth, adaptability, and focused execution came to the fore in the two matches that went ahead albeit in reduced 20-over formats.

Glencore North West Dragons Start Strong Against Boland

At the University of Free State ground, the Glencore North West Dragons laid down a marker with a comprehensive 48-run win over Boland. Opting to bat first in the rain-shortened match, the Dragons openers Deidrè van Rensberg (35) and Lizri de Villiers (32) provided a solid base. Their partnership anchored the innings and ensured North West posted a competitive 127 for six in their 20 overs.

Boland responded well with the ball, especially through Maria van der Vyver (2/21) and Michaela Hanekom (2/23), who pegged back the run rate through the middle overs. But despite their efforts, the chase faltered dramatically.

None of Boland’s batters could get past 17, with van der Vyver and Chantelle van Schoor offering brief resistance. The target of 128 proved a bridge too far as Boland were restricted to 79 for eight. North West’s Anè Saunderson was exceptional with the ball, taking 3 for 15 and setting the tone with disciplined, attacking spells that dismantled the Boland middle order. The result gives North West early momentum in the race for the Division 2 top spot.

KZN Inland Dominate Kei in Bowling-Driven Victory

In the other completed fixture, KZN Inland women’s team asserted their authority over Kei with an emphatic eight-wicket win. Opting to bowl first, Inland’s bowling unit wasted no time in tearing through the opposition lineup. Kei could only muster 71 runs before being bowled out inside 15 overs.

The standout performer was Jessica Candler, who bagged 4 for 12 with precision and discipline. Amanda Ngcobo and Kiandri Bierbaum supported with two wickets each, making it nearly impossible for Kei to build any partnerships.

Despite a modest target, the chase was handled with calm professionalism. Megan Wessell led the charge, scoring an unbeaten 37 off 45 balls. She was ably supported by Candler, who contributed a composed 12* off 17 deliveries. Inland completed the chase with eight wickets in hand and plenty of time to spare, sending a clear message that they are well-prepared for the rigours of this tournament.

A Format with High Stakes and Low Margins

The new format in the CSA Women’s Division 2 2025 means that only the One-Day results matter for promotion, unlike the Pro Series where points are earned in both 50-over and T20 formats. This structure elevates the importance of consistency and resilience in the longer format. With only a few matches determining who gets promoted, the weather-enforced no-results could be costly, especially for teams like Border and Eastern Province who were hoping for a strong start.

With women’s cricket in South Africa undergoing rapid growth and professional investment, this tournament carries not just the reward of silverware but the pathway to a new level of exposure, development opportunities, and national recognition for emerging players.

Day Two Fixtures Set Up High-Stakes Encounters

As day two approaches, the action is set to intensify with a packed schedule that includes KZN Inland taking on Northern Cape, while Limpopo will face Kei. Elsewhere, Eastern Province square off against Mpumalanga, Border go up against North West, and Easterns take on Limpopo.

With the uncertainty of weather still looming, every side will be hoping to get full matches in to build or sustain momentum. For teams like Glencore North West Dragons and KZN Inland women’s team, day two is an opportunity to consolidate early gains. For others, it marks a critical juncture where slipping behind could mean falling out of the promotion race altogether.

Key Performers and Players to Watch

Anè Saunderson’s three-wicket haul and Jessica Candler’s match-winning all-round effort have already shown the quality in Division 2. As the tournament progresses, consistent performers from these matches may soon find themselves on selectors’ radars for higher honours. Young players like Wessell, Zangqa, and van Rensberg, too, have demonstrated flashes of brilliance that could define their teams’ campaigns.