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- ENG vs SA Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025 1st Semi Final: Laura Wolvaardt century, Marizanne Kapp fifer power South Africa to 125-run win; reach first-ever ODI World Cup final
ENG vs SA Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025 1st Semi Final: Laura Wolvaardt century, Marizanne Kapp fifer power South Africa to 125-run win; reach first-ever ODI World Cup final
Wolvaardt played one of the most remarkable innings of her career, scoring 169 off 143 balls to carry South Africa to a formidable total of 319/7. Her knock, marked by 17 fours and three sixes, was a blend of patience and precision as she handled England’s attack with authority. Partnering Tazmin Brits (45) and later Kapp (42), she ensured South Africa recovered from Sophie Ecclestone’s double strike in the 22nd over that briefly halted momentum.
Wolvaardt’s acceleration in the final stages, supported by Chloe Tryon’s unbeaten 33, pushed the Proteas well past 300. During her innings, she crossed both 150 runs and the 5000-run milestone in ODIs, reaffirming her stature as one of the game’s premier batters.
England’s chase never truly found rhythm after Kapp dismantled their top order early. The right-arm seamer removed Amy Jones and Heather Knight in her first spell before returning to claim the crucial wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt (64), ending any hopes of a comeback. Alice Capsey’s 50 was the only other major contribution in England’s 194 all out.
“This probably has to be right at the top considering the context, a World Cup semi-final,” Wolvaardt said after being named Player of the Match.
For South Africa, the result marks a new chapter in their cricketing journey. After falling short in two T20 World Cup finals, they now advance to their first-ever ODI final, where they will face the winner of Thursday’s India–Australia semifinal in Navi Mumbai.
Linsey Smith to Laura Wolvaardt, Smith bowls a tad short on middle and off, Laura Wolvaardt slaps this to long on for another single.
Linsey Smith to Laura Wolvaardt, Tossed up on off, Laura Wolvaardt pushes this to cover for no run.
Linsey Smith to Tazmin Brits, Pushed through on middle and leg, Tazmin Brits goes deep in her crease and pushes this down to long on for one.
Linsey Smith to Tazmin Brits, Quicker and flatter on middle and off, Tazmin Brits blocks this back to the bowler.
- Tazmin Brits 5 (9)
- Laura Wolvaardt 12 (9)
Lauren Bell to Tazmin Brits, LEG BYE! Good length, going down the leg side, Tazmin Brits misses out on the flick and tickles this off her thigh pad towards short fine leg for a leg bye.
Lauren Bell to Tazmin Brits, Good length wide of off, Tazmin Brits leaves it all alone. A good mini comeback from Bell after conceding a boundary early on in the over.
Lauren Bell to Tazmin Brits, Good length on off, Tazmin Brits blocks this out.
Lauren Bell to Tazmin Brits, Good length on middle and off, Tazmin Brits pushes this to cover.
Lauren Bell to Tazmin Brits, FOUR! Consider it a drop or an escape as per your understanding, but Tazmin Brits has a boundary. On a length around off, Tazmin Brits charges down the track and hammers this, almost taking out the bowler towards her left. Bell tries to catch it but she decides promptly and pulls her hand away from the ball. The ball has raced to the fence in no time towards the long off region for four.
Lauren Bell to Tazmin Brits, On a length wide of off, Tazmin Brits gives it a good look and leaves it all alone.
- Laura Wolvaardt 12 (9)
- Tazmin Brits 1 (3)
Linsey Smith to Laura Wolvaardt, Floated on off, Laura Wolvaardt blocks this around cover. A decent over from Linsey Smith as she gives away 5 off her first.
Linsey Smith to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Just like her last game, Linsey Smith is finding it hard to grip the new ball. Smith bowls a freebie as she drags it down wide around off, Laura Wolvaardt smashes this through the left of cover for another boundary.
Linsey Smith to Laura Wolvaardt, Arm-delivery around middle and leg, Laura Wolvaardt tucks this to short mid-wicket.
Linsey Smith to Tazmin Brits, Fuller on off, Tazmin Brits rolls this down the ground to long on for a single to open her account.
Linsey Smith to Tazmin Brits, Quicker one, around off, Tazmin Brits punches this to cover for no run.
Linsey Smith to Tazmin Brits, Floated around off, Tazmin Brits tucks this to short mid-wicket.
Expect Linsey Smith to operate from the other end. Smith had remarkable figures of 3 for 7, including 2 maidens from her 4 overs, when England faced South Africa during the league stage here in Guwahati.
- Laura Wolvaardt 8 (6)
- Tazmin Brits 0 (0)
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, Excellent cricket all around. A good length delivery on off, Laura Wolvaardt prods in front and drives this crisply off her front foot. The ball was travelling at the rate of knots but a good fielding effort at cover kept it down to a dot.
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, WIDE! Bell errs in line and bowls one down the leg side, Laura Wolvaardt leaves it all alone. Wided.
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length on off, Laura blocks it out.
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, On a length around off, Laura Wolvaardt hits this off the inside half of her bat towards mid on for no run.
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length wide of off, Laura Wolvaardt strides to the pitch of it and shoulders her arms at it.
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Make it two-in-two for Laura Wolvaardt and South Africa Women. Bell bowls it a tad fuller and wide of off, Laura Wolvaardt gets lured into the drive again, but this time gets an outside edge that goes past the right of first slip for four more.
Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Pressure, what pressure, eh, says Laura Wolvaardt as she strikes a boundary on the first delivery of the first semi-final. On a length around middle and off, Laura Wolvaardt leans on top of the bounce of this one and drives this all along the carpet through the cover region for a boundary to kickstart things.
The national anthems are done, and we are ready to get going. It is overcast at the moment, but more importantly, it is dry, and let's hope it stays that way. The floodlights have been switched on. Final words from Nat Sciver-Brunt in the English huddle before they stride out to the middle. South Africa's skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, walks out to open the innings alongside Tazmin Brits. Lauren Bell will kickstart proceedings for England. Bell to Wolvaardt with a slip in place. Away we go...
To make things worse, they were defeated by England in both of the most recent ODI World Cup semifinals, in 2017 and 2022, respectively.
The giant flags have been laid out, and we are all set for the national anthems. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Laura Wolvaardt lead their respective sides out. It will be South Africa's national anthem first, followed by that of England.
South Africa's skipper, Laura Wolvaardt says that they would have bowled first as well, but runs in a semi-final can be pretty good too, so not too unhappy with the toss result. Informs that they are going with an extra batter for this game, with Anneke Bosch coming in for Masabata Klaas. Believes that there have been situations during the league stage, where they needed someone to bat with Nadine De Klerk, which is why they are going with an extra batter.
The captain of England, Nat Sciver-Brunt emphasises the importance of putting pressure on the opposition with their bowling and then hoping to chase down the target under lights. She's confident in her team's abilities, saying they need to hold their nerve, trust themselves, and trust their processes while acknowledging the significance of the occasion. Sciver-Brunt also informs that England will field the same team, with Sophie Ecclestone playing through a bit of pain after suffering a minor shoulder injury.
South Africa Women (Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch (In for Masabata Klaas), Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine De Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
England Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (WK), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
TOSS - England have won the toss and they will BOWL first.
Forecasts predict showers in Guwahati on match day, raising concerns about potential interruptions.
A reserve day has been allocated, but if play remains incomplete, England — the higher-ranked team on the points table — will progress to the final. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Nonkululeko Mlaba and Marizanne Kapp, will be hoping for a surface that assists spin and seam alike.
With the odds and conditions in play, the semifinal promises a gripping test of skill, adaptability, and nerves.
Captain Heather Knight (288 runs) and wicketkeeper Amy Jones (220) have been dependable anchors in the middle order, but opener Tammy Beaumont’s inconsistency has hurt their starts.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, the team’s heartbeat, has oscillated between brilliance and brief failures. Lower-order batters Emma Lamb and Sophia Dunkley have yet to make meaningful contributions, and England will hope for greater depth in the semifinal.
A balanced effort across the lineup will be key to avoiding late jitters against a determined South African side.
Their campaign under coach Charlotte Edwards has reflected a resilient turnaround after their home series loss to India.
Despite a defeat to Australia, England finished second in the points table with 11 points.
The team’s blend of experience and youthful exuberance has served them well, though occasional batting collapses have shown vulnerabilities. Edwards’ focus will be on maintaining composure under pressure and ensuring that her side’s momentum carries into the knockout stage.
But apart from her, few others have delivered regularly.
Tazmin Brits, who scored a century against India, has since struggled for runs. Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp have also been inconsistent, often undone by poor shot selection.
Against England’s disciplined attack, the Proteas will need their top order to hold firm and build partnerships to avoid another middle-order implosion.
Seamer Lauren Bell will look to provide early breakthroughs, while all-rounder Alice Capsey’s form with the ball — five wickets so far — strengthens England’s balance. However, a cloud of concern lingers over Ecclestone’s fitness after she suffered a shoulder injury in the last match. The ECB remains optimistic, stating she sustained only a minor joint injury and is being closely monitored.
Their batting lineup has faltered twice against quality spin attacks during the group stage, leading to heavy defeats. After being bowled out for a paltry 69 in their opener, the Proteas bounced back with spirited wins over India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Yet, their inability to handle drift and turn resurfaced alarmingly against Australia, where they collapsed for just 97 runs in 24 overs.
The opener shared crucial stands with Tazmin Brits (45) and Kapp (42) to steady the innings despite Sophie Ecclestone’s four-wicket spell. Her knock, filled with 17 boundaries and three sixes, saw South Africa recover from mini-collapses and accelerate in the final overs alongside Chloe Tryon (33*).
England, chasing a record target, faltered early as Kapp struck twice in her opening spell to remove Amy Jones and Heather Knight. Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) briefly revived hopes with a 107-run partnership before Kapp’s return ended the resistance. England were eventually dismissed for 194 in 42.3 overs.
“It still feels a bit unreal,” Wolvaardt said after being named Player of the Match. “You dream as a kid of scoring a hundred in a World Cup knock-out game.”
The win, which followed South Africa’s earlier struggles against the same opponent in the league stage, marked a breakthrough moment for the Proteas. Having reached two T20 World Cup finals previously without success, they now advance to their first-ever ODI final, where they await the winner of the India–Australia semifinal in Navi Mumbai.
Match Statistics
Venue
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
