Post by : Maya Rahman

South Africa booked a place in the Women’s World Cup final with a commanding 125-run victory over England in Guwahati, powered by a match-defining century from captain Laura Wolvaardt.

Sent in to bat, the Proteas posted 319 for seven. Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a superb 169 from 143 deliveries, striking 20 fours and four sixes to lift her side to a total England would struggle to chase.

Wolvaardt’s knock was constructed on the back of solid partnerships. She and opener Tazmin Brits put on 116 for the first wicket, with Brits contributing 45 before Sophie Ecclestone removed her. Later, Wolvaardt combined with Marizanne Kapp for a decisive 72-run stand to keep the scoring rate healthy.

Ecclestone, making a return after a shoulder problem, provided a brief spark for England by taking two wickets in one over — including Brits and Anneke Bosch — and finished with figures of 4 for 44. Still, she could not prevent Wolvaardt from dominating the innings.

The Proteas accelerated late, collecting 117 runs in the final 10 overs. Chloe Tryon’s late flourish — an unbeaten 33 — helped push the score on. Wolvaardt’s inning finally ended in the 48th over, caught off Lauren Bell to applause from the opposition.

Chasing 320 proved catastrophic for England. Marizanne Kapp struck immediately, rattling the top order with a two-wicket maiden that removed Amy Jones and Heather Knight. Ayabonga Khaka then had Tammy Beaumont lbw with her first legal delivery, leaving England in turmoil very early.

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey staged a recovery, adding 100 for the fourth wicket. Sciver-Brunt made 64 and Capsey 50, but their resistance was eventually broken when Kapp returned to remove the captain and stem the revival.

From there South Africa seized control. Kapp produced a destructive spell that included consecutive dismissals of Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean, finishing with outstanding figures of 5 for 20 as England were bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs.

The loss continues a painful trend for England, who have now been eliminated by South Africa in their last three World Cup semi-finals. The defending champions were unable to match South Africa’s collective performance across bat and ball.

South Africa will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and India in Navi Mumbai, with Sunday’s final offering them a shot at their first-ever Women’s World Cup crown. The side will head into that match buoyed by Wolvaardt’s batting and Kapp’s incisive bowling.

The Guwahati semi-final was a full-team display from the Proteas: Wolvaardt’s masterclass set the tone and Kapp’s seam bowling closed the door on England’s chase, underlining South Africa as genuine contenders for the title.

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