Wolvaardt, Kapp power South Africa into historic first Women’s World Cup final

Wolvaardt and Kapp inspire South Africa to historic first Women’s World Cup final after crushing England by 125 runs.

South Africa have finally ended their long wait to reach a Women’s World Cup final, exorcising the heartbreaks of 2000, 2017, and 2022. Laura Wolvaardt’s side produced a commanding all-round performance to outclass four-time champions England by 125 runs at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati — and secure a place in their maiden World Cup final.

The emphatic victory also marked South Africa’s third consecutive ICC final appearance, following their runs to the T20 World Cup title clashes in 2023 and 2024. Having fallen short on both occasions, the Proteas will now aim to go one better when they face either India or Australia in the final on November 2.

REDEMPTION IN GUWAHATI
Remarkably, this historic triumph came at the same venue where South Africa had earlier suffered a humiliating 10-wicket defeat after being bowled out for just 69. This time, though, the Proteas displayed resilience and intent, turning the tables with a complete performance that left England shell-shocked.

WOLVAARDT LEADS FROM THE FRONT
Captain Laura Wolvaardt set the tone with a masterful innings of 169 off 143 balls — her highest score in World Cups — laced with 20 fours and four sixes. Alongside opener Tazmin Brits (45), she guided South Africa to 116 for the opening wicket, ensuring England went wicketless in the powerplay for the first time in the tournament.

Although Sophie Ecclestone sparked a mini-collapse with quick wickets of Brits and Anneke Bosch in the same over, Wolvaardt found a composed partner in Marizanne Kapp. The duo added 72 runs for the fourth wicket, rebuilding the innings with maturity and precision.

Wolvaardt’s fluent century came off 115 balls, and she later accelerated brilliantly to reach 150 from 136. In the process, she became the second-fastest batter to 5,000 ODI runs — a testament to her consistency at the top.

Kapp contributed a brisk 42 off 33 balls, while Chloe Tryon (33) and Nadine de Klerk (11) helped lift South Africa to 319 for seven — the second-highest total ever recorded in a Women’s World Cup knockout game. Ecclestone was England’s best performer with the ball, finishing with 4 for 44 from her 10 overs.

KAPP DESTROYS ENGLAND’S TOP ORDER
With the bat, Kapp had been steady; with the ball, she was sensational. She struck twice in her first over, removing Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks, before Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Tammy Beaumont to leave England tottering early.

A brief fightback came from Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50), who added 105 runs for the fourth wicket. But once Sune Luus ended the partnership by removing Capsey, Kapp returned to dismantle the rest of the batting order. She dismissed Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before completing her second ODI five-wicket haul, ending with figures of 5 for 20 in seven overs.

England were bowled out for 192 in 42.2 overs, their chase never truly recovering from Kapp’s early blows. Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s late 34 provided some resistance, but it was too little, too late.

A NEW CHAPTER IN SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKET
This victory wasn’t just about reaching a final — it was about rewriting history. For years, South Africa’s women’s team had been on the brink of greatness, only to fall agonisingly short. But under Wolvaardt’s leadership and Kapp’s all-round brilliance, the Proteas have finally broken through.