Here is Every World Cup Final South Africa Has Lost in Cricket

The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final is in the books, with India defeating South Africa to lift their first-ever World Cup trophy in cricket.

For the Proteas, this loss continues a long-standing trend of falling at the final hurdle. The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup adds yet another painful chapter to their growing list of near-misses in global tournaments. It’s a story that has become all too familiar for South African cricket fans. Despite their remarkable consistency, talent, and hunger across formats, the ultimate prize keeps slipping through their fingers.

From the outside it looks like a curse, and the record books don’t help their case.

In 2023, the women’s team came agonizingly close in the Women’s T20 World Cup, only to be stopped by Australia in front of a home crowd. A year later, the heartbreak doubled as the same side lost another final in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The men’s team wasn’t spared either. In 2024, they reached the Men’s T20 World Cup final — a golden chance to end decades of frustration. But India stood firm, sealing yet another heartbreak for South Africa’s golden generation.

And now, in 2025, history repeats itself. The Women’s ODI World Cup final, another brilliant campaign followed by a defeat on the ultimate stage.

South Africa’s World Cup Final Results:

Year Tournament Opponent Venue Margin of Defeat 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup Australia Cape Town, South Africa 19 runs 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup New Zealand Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE 32 runs 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup India Kensington Oval, Barbados 7 runs 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup India DY Patil Stadium, India 52 runs

What makes these defeats sting more is how close South Africa has been — every single time. They’ve reached finals not by luck, but by sheer dominance: powerful bowling attacks, fearless batting lineups, and elite consistency. Yet when it matters most, it all seems to fall apart.

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