They are firmly entrenched in the middle of the competition standings with a cluster of other similarly desperate sides.
The White Ferns will likely need to win two of their three remaining round-robin games to make the semifinals. Even then that might not be enough.
It could come down to net run rate and the White Ferns’ NRR took a hammering in the big loss to Australia in Wellington on Sunday.
But the first hurdle will be getting past an improved and unbeaten South African side at Seddon Park this evening.
South Africa held off Bangladesh by 32 runs in a luke warm opening to the tournament. It had a narrow escape against Pakistan in game two but shocked the defending champion England in game three.
It chased down a target of 236 in Mount Maunganui to win by three wickets.
Opener Laura Wolvaardt was instrumental in that win with a knock of 77. She is the third highest scorer (193 runs at 64.33) at the tournament and shapes as a major threat.
Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp took a career-best five for 45 to help set up the win, so she is another player the White Ferns will need to scout carefully.
Experienced medium pacer Ayabonga Khaka turned the game against Bangladesh with a four wicket haul, and strike bowler Shabnim Ismail shone against Pakistan.
So, while South Africa has been getting better, the White Ferns’ form has fluctuated.
The tense three-run loss to the West Indies was probably not as bad as first imagined.
Hindsight has put that loss into clearer perspective. The White Ferns responded by making a couple of sensible changes to their XI.
They demolished Bangladesh by nine-wickets in game two.
The 62-run win against India at Seddon Park was the highlight, but the next act against Australia exposed a large gap between the tournament favourite and the home side.
Australia has won 32 of its last 33 one-day internationals.
It is a remarkable record, but the White Ferns gave their fans reason to despair with a thoroughly dismal effort with the bat.
It brought back memories of a tough couple of years of batting flops and long losing streaks.
But this White Ferns side is better than that and it will need to be against South Africa.
Suzie Bates has had some rotten luck with run outs but showed her class with an undefeated 79 in Dunedin.
Sophie Devine scored a century in the opening game and is a key player when the team is chasing a steep target.
Melie Kerr has developed into a world-class all-rounder and her presence in the top three strengthens the mix of the side.
Strike bowler Lea Tahuhu is the leading wicket-taker in the competition and the Ferns will look to her to make inroads.
It is a spin friendly surface though, so expect Kerr and Frankie Mackay to play an important role with the ball.
Amy Satterthwaite might even get to roll her arm over. The part-time off-spinner nabbed three wickets in Dunedin.
But her role in the top four will be more critical. Every run counts in a tight competition where a ticket to the playoffs might be purchased in the currency of net run rate.
Women’s World Cup
Hamilton, 2pm
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Frankie Mackay, Hayley Jensen, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Brooke Halliday, Rosemary Mair, Fran Jonas, Georgia Plimmer.
South Africa: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus (captain), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty, Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Sinalo Jafta, Lara Goodall, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
