Guwahati: South Africa reached their first-ever Women’s World Cup final on Wednesday after beating England by 125 runs in a one-sided semi-final. The win ended years of heartbreak, with South Africa having lost to England in the 2017 and 2022 semi-finals.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt was the star of the match. She scored a brilliant 169 runs from 143 balls, hitting 20 fours and four sixes. It was her first World Cup century and one of the best innings in the tournament’s history.
Wolvaardt added 116 runs for the first wicket with Tazmin Brits (45) and another 72 runs with Marizanne Kapp (42) to take South Africa to a huge total of 319 for 7.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄! 💥
South Africa secured a stunning victory over England to book their spot in the summit clash of #CWC25 🤩#ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/pHnNLP2IBb
— ICC (@ICC) October 29, 2025
England’s top spinner Sophie Ecclestone (4-44) took key wickets to slow things down, but Wolvaardt finished strong with help from Chloe Tryon, who made an unbeaten 33. South Africa scored 117 runs in the final 10 overs. When Wolvaardt got out in the 48th over, the England players shook her hand in admiration for her outstanding innings.
England never recovered from a poor start. Marizanne Kapp bowled a brilliant opening over, taking two wickets, Amy Jones and Heather Knight, for no runs. Ayabonga Khaka then dismissed Tammy Beaumont, leaving England at 1 for 3.
Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) tried to fight back with a 105-run stand, but Kapp struck again. She removed Sciver-Brunt and then took two wickets in two balls to complete her five-wicket haul (5-20).
Laura Wolvaardt’s majestic ton in the #CWC25 semi-final in Guwahati wins her the @aramco POTM award ⚡#ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/xT3Uq8qsqk
— ICC (@ICC) October 29, 2025
England were bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs. With her performance, Kapp became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s World Cup history, overtaking India’s Jhulan Goswami.
This win puts South Africa in their first-ever Women’s World Cup final. They will face the winner of Thursday’s semi-final between Australia and India in Navi Mumbai.
