By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp helped South Africa beat England by 125-runs in the first semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 and qualified for the final for the first time in history.
Wolvaardt smashed 169 from 143 deliveries, the highest-ever score from a South African at a Women’s World Cup, to help the Proteas – who lost the toss – recover from 202-6 to post a commanding 319-7 from their 50 overs.
Kapp added a quickfire 42 before making the dream start with the ball, removing Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones in a double-wicket maiden, as England slumped to 1-3 after just seven balls of their chase.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) led the fightback and put on a 107-run stand with Alice Capsey (50), who fell immediately after completing her half-century, but Kapp returned to remove England’s captain and spark another flurry of wickets.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (34) and Linsey Smith (27) offered late cameos ahead of England being eventually dismissed for 194 in the 43rd over, as South Africa progressed to a meeting against either Australia or India in Sunday’s final.
South Africa were beaten by England in the semi-finals of the last two ODI World Cups in 2017 and 2022.
In the group-stage fixture between these teams, South Africa were skittled for just 69 as England’s spinners ripped through them, and it immediately looked like their World Cup campaign was on the ropes.
The resilience shown from their turnaround was incredible, including a surprising win against India, and it culminated in this comprehensive performance which was kickstarted by their inspirational captain.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt: “Everyone is really excited. Having lost to this team in the semi-finals before, we are really pleased to get the win tonight.
“I was not sure we had got enough runs on the board as it was a flat wicket. Really glad we bowled the way we did.
“I did not expect to have the start with the ball that we did. Kapp was amazing but we still felt the pressure as long as Sciver-Brunt was there. It could have gone either way but I am happy it came off for us.
“It’s very special to be history-makers today. This is a fair tournament playing each team and we have played some good cricket over the month.
“The final will be amazing whoever we play. We will celebrate this tonight and go back to the drawing board tomorrow.”
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt: “We’ve come a long way since the summer. We’re a different side from then and we’ve learnt a lot.
“This will hurt but hopefully in time we’ll be able to take the learnings from it and move forward because we’ve made some great strides so far in quite a short space of time.
“It’s really exciting where we can go. To beat the best teams, you really have to be at your best and hopefully we’ll come back stronger the next time.”