South Africa overpower England to enter CWC25 final

South Africa booked their place in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 final with a massive 125-run victory over England at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The Proteas scripted history in Guwahati to reach their first World Cup final and will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and Australia that will take place on Thursday in Navi Mumbai.

After semifinal defeats in 2017 and 2022, the Proteas finally broke through with a composed all-round performance, powered by Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul and captain Laura Wolvaardt’s century earlier in the day.

Chasing 320 for victory, England were bowled out for 194 in under 43 overs, falling well short as South Africa sealed a comprehensive win. Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) top-scored for England while Alice Capsey (50) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (34) also chipped in to keep the chase alive. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to offer support with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Kapp (5/20) led the way for South Africa with a brilliant spell that broke the back of England’s innings. Nadine de Klerk (2/24) supported her well with two wickets while Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Sune Luus chipped in with one wicket each.

England endured a nightmare start in their chase as Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka struck early, reducing England to 1/3 inside the first two overs. Kapp removed Amy Jones and Heather Knight in her opening over while Khaka dismissed Tammy Beaumont soon after.

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey then led England’s fightback, adding 100 runs for the fourth wicket to revive hopes. Both batters showed great determination to keep England in the game though they had already lost three key wickets.

However, South Africa turned the game back in their favour when Sune Luus broke the partnership by dismissing Capsey. Soon after Kapp returned to the attack and immediately made an impact to remove Sciver-Brunt. She then struck twice again to complete a superb five-wicket haul.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge tried to maintain England’s momentum after Capsey’s dismissal but wickets continued to tumble from the other end as the Proteas tightened their grip on the game before recording a memorable win.

In the first innings, Laura Wolvaardt brought up her maiden World Cup century as South Africa posted 319/7 in their World Cup semi-final clash against England.

Wolvaardt produced a magnificent knock of 169 off 143 balls to help South Africa finish strongly despite losing key wickets in the middle overs even as her innings was laced with 20 fours and four sixes.

Tazmin Brits (45), Marizanne Kapp (42) and Chloe Tryon (33*) also made valuable contributions with the bat. Among England’s bowlers, Sophie Ecclestone (4/44) stood out while Lauren Bell (2/55) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (1/67) provided crucial support.

However, England’s bowlers conceded crucial runs in the death overs as South Africa finished with a late flourish to post a commanding total on the board.

Put in to bat, South Africa got off to an excellent start with openers Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits adding 116 runs for the first wicket. But England slowly clawed their way back into the contest when they picked up three wickets for just three runs, reducing South Africa from 116 for no loss to 119/3.

However, Wolvaardt and Kapp steadied the innings with a composed 72-run stand that restored South Africa’s momentum.

Once Wolvaardt reached her century, she switched gears and put up a vital 89 run-stand with Tryon after Kapp’s dismissal. Wolvaardt contributed heavily in that partnership before being dismissed by Bell after a brilliant century that set the tone for a memorable South African victory.

Tryon continued the charge in the final overs, finding support from Nadine de Klerk as the duo added 28 runs in the last two overs. Their late flourish ensured South Africa crossed the 300-run mark.

Earlier, Sophie Ecclestone turned the tide for England with a brilliant over, striking twice before Nat Sciver-Brunt dismissed Sune Luus.

Ecclestone first bowled Tazmin Brits, who miscued a fuller delivery while attempting a reverse sweep before dismissing Anneke Bosch for a duck as the batter misjudged the length while looking to play through the off side. Brunt then kept the pressure on the Proteas with another wicket as Luus chopped one back onto the stumps.

Brits, along with Laura Wolvaardt, had earlier given South Africa a commanding start with a 100-run opening partnership before Ecclestone’s double breakthrough brought England back into the contest.

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