South Africa powered into their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup final on Wednesday, October 29, defeating England by 125 runs in a dominant semi-final performance.
The victory marked a milestone night for South African cricket, with the Proteas Women booking their maiden place in the tournament’s showpiece match.
Wolvaardt and Kapp lead the charge
Captain Laura Wolvaardt and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp delivered decisive performances to steer South Africa to victory, while England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey provided the main resistance for their side.
Wolvaardt, named Player of the Match, struck a superb 169 off 143 balls to anchor the innings.
After South Africa slipped to 202-6 through the middle overs, the skipper’s composed knock lifted her team to a commanding 319-7 from 50 overs.
Tazmin Brits added 45 from 65 balls, while Kapp (42) and Chloé Tryon (33) provided valuable lower-order support.
Kapp’s greater impact came with the ball.
She opened her spell with a double-wicket maiden and went on to claim 5-20 in seven overs at an economy rate of 2.86, dismantling England’s batting order – particularly the frontline.
Sciver-Brunt and Capsey stand firm but England fall short
Sciver-Brunt (64) and Capsey (50) showed resilience in England’s reply, but lacked consistent support.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (34) and tailender Linsey Smith (27) added brief resistance before England were bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs.
Sophie Ecclestone was England’s standout bowler earlier in the day, finishing with 4-44 to keep her team in contention.
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‘We weren’t at our best’
“What an incredible two innings from South Africa,” Sciver-Brunt told Sky Sports. “We weren’t at our best today and to beat the best team you have to put a whole game together.
“We didn’t do that today. We’re hugely disappointed, it will take time to sink in.
“During the powerplay and afterwards [of South Africa’s innings], we were pretty happy with the control we had and knew with a wicket at one end and we’d be able to make some inroads, but they got another partnership together.”
Edwards praises South Africa’s stars
England head coach Charlotte Edwards spoke glowingly of South Africa’s Wolvaardt and Kapp, saying: “I think two players performed really well on the big stage, Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt, and when someone gets a five-for and 169, you’re not going to be on the winning side too many times.
“Wolvaardt’s innings was outstanding, and Kapp’s spell of bowling… she always steps up.
“The players put everything into today and it wasn’t to be for us. There are things to think about after this but credit to South Africa.”
‘A very special day’
“Still feels a bit unreal (scoring 169),” Wolvaardt said after receiving her Player of the Match award.
“It’s one of the things you dream about as a kid, scoring a 100 in a World Cup knock-out game.
“Very special day and I’m so glad we won in the end.
“We knew the start would be crucial. Taz [Brits] and I have been strong up the order and, when we bat well up top, it feeds off to the rest of the line-up.
“Really nice we got to a big score because it was a flat wicket in the end.”
South Africa will face either Australia or India in the final on Sunday, November 2, in Navi Mumbai, as they aim to lift their first-ever Women’s World Cup trophy.
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