South Africa delivered a commanding performance in Guwahati to knock England out of the Women’s Cricket World Cup with a 125-run victory, sealing a place in Sunday’s final and crushing England’s hopes of another global triumph. The match belonged to two standout stars — Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp — who rose to the occasion and dismantled England’s challenge with bat and ball.
England won the toss and chose to field, a decision that looked promising early on when South Africa found themselves under pressure at 202-6. However, Wolvaardt took control in spectacular fashion. She played one of the greatest innings in the nation’s World Cup history, smashing 169 from 143 deliveries — the highest score ever made by a South African in the tournament. Her brilliance turned the game around, pushing the Proteas to an imposing 319-7 from their full 50 overs. Kapp provided crucial late support with a rapid 42, helping set a total that demanded something special from England’s batters.
The response from England was disastrous right from the beginning. Kapp, full of confidence after her batting display, struck twice in her opening over to remove Amy Jones and captain Heather Knight in a double-wicket maiden. Tammy Beaumont followed without scoring, leaving England shocked at 1-3 inside just seven balls. The top-order collapse left fans in disbelief as the defending spirit that usually defines England’s cricket vanished under South Africa’s aggressive opening spell.
Nat Sciver-Brunt fought hard to pull England back into the contest with a determined 64, forming a 107-run partnership with Alice Capsey, who reached her half-century before falling immediately after bringing up her milestone. Once Capsey departed, South Africa seized the momentum again. Kapp returned to remove Sciver-Brunt and the collapse resumed with little resistance. Danni Wyatt-Hodge struck 34 and Linsey Smith added 27 late on, but the scoreboard pressure was too overwhelming as England were eventually bowled out for 194 in the 43rd over.
The result sends South Africa into a showdown against either Australia or India, with the Women’s Cricket World Cup trophy now firmly within their reach. With Wolvaardt rewriting the record books and Kapp dominating in both disciplines, the Proteas appear confident and ready for the biggest stage. England, meanwhile, are left to reflect on a painful exit and a campaign that fell short when it mattered most.
