Two-time runners-up South Africa can ill-afford another slip-up as they prepare to take on India at Old Trafford on Sunday in a crunch game in Group A of the Women's T20 World Cup.
India and Australia are both on four points after two rounds of games and in the qualification spots, with the Proteas two points behind.
Laura Wolvaardt's ladies have already been well beaten by the Aussies and they can kiss goodbye to any hopes of making the semis if they are beaten by India.
South Africa Women v India Women Tips Summary
Best Bet - Match handicap - South Africa Women +4.5 wkts/+13.5 runs @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - A Dercksen over 2.5 4s @ 10/11
Bet Builder - M Kapp 1+ wicket, Over 7.5 catches, L Wolvaardt 10+ runs, S Mandhana 10+ runs, Over 0.5 run outs @ 5/1
South Africa Women v India Women Prediction
Best Bet: Match handicap - South Africa +4.5 wkts/+13.5 runs @ 1/1
South Africa Women know they can beat the Indians having thrashed them 4-1 in a series in April, albeit on home soil.
Now they meet again in neutral Manchester with India flying but South Africa showing signs of life.
Humbled by Australia in their opener they hit back to pip Pakistan by two wickets on Wednesday.
There are players not performing with bat and ball but their X-Factor stars - the likes of Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp - are going well.
Now they just need next-generation superstars like Kayla Reyneke to join the party and the Proteas could easily quick.
This could be a lot tighter than the odds suggest and the Proteas are well worth backing on the handicap at the very least.
Alternative Bet: A Dercksen over 2.5 4s @ 10/11
Annerie Dercksen batted beautifully holding together South Africa's successful run chase against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
A rare Wolvaardt failure had piled the pressure on Dercksen, who responded with a classy 35-ball 52 featuring seven fours and a couple of sixes.
Take the 25-year-old to clip at least three fours off the India bowlers on a lightning-fast Old Trafford outfield.
South Africa Women v India Women Bet Builder Tip
M Kapp 1+ wicket
Over 7.5 catches
L Wolvaardt 10+ runs
S Mandhana 10+ runs
Over 0.5 run outs
Pays 5/1
Kapp looks close to her best with the new ball, having taken a wicket in each of South Africa's games to date. Kick off this Bet Builder by backing her to take at least one wicket against the Indians.
There were 13 and 10 catches in India's two games so far with the Indians bowling out the opposition both times.
Over 7.5 catches also looks like a pretty good call for this clash.
Respective openers Wolvaardt and Smriti Mandhana are both in top touch with the willow and should be backed to reach double figures.
There were three run-outs in South Africa's win over Pakistan, so one here seems an acceptable addition to this acca.
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Key Match Stats
India have played two won two with routine victories after batting first against Pakistan and Netherlands
South Africa, hammered by Australia in their opener, pipped Pakistan by two wickets at Edgbaston on Wednesday
The Proteas beat India 4-1 in a five-match T20 series in South Africa in April
Smriti Mandhana is the India batter in form having struck scores of 68 and 74 in her side's two wins
South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt has smashed three half-centuries and one ton in her last seven T20Is
Marizanne Kapp has taken eight wickets in her last four T20Is, including 3-23 in the win over Pakistan
Tactics, Form and Team News
Tazmin Brits could well come back in at the top of the order for South Africa, with Sune Luus continuing to misfire.
Predicted South Africa XI: Wolvaardt (cap), Brits, Dercksen, Kapp, De Klerk, Tryon, Reyneke, Jafta (wkt), Ismail, Khaka, Mlaba.
Off-spinning all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury in Wednesday's win over Netherlands.
Uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat has been drafted in, but is unlikely to feature at Old Trafford.
Predicted India XI: Mandhana, Verma, Rodrigues, Ghosh (wkt), Bhatia, Kaur (cap), D Sharma, Reddy, Charani, Gaud, N Sharma.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
