Women’s World Cup 2025: Laura Wolfardt and Marizanne Kapp shine as South Africa beat England to reach final

A dismal England crashed out of the Women’s World Cup after a crushing 125-run defeat by South Africa in the semi-final.

Laura Wolvaardt played one of the greatest one-day innings with 169 off 143 balls at the top of the order as the Proteas, who had lost to England in the previous two World Cup semi-finals, posted 319-7 in Guwahati.

Facing a record knockout playoff chase, England endured a horrific start as they fell to 1-3 with Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight falling for the Ducks.

Jones and Knight were both bowled by the eager Marizanne Kapp and Beaumont was caught behind Ayabonga Khaka, but Nat Seaver-Brunt and Alice Capsie steadied the innings with a 105-run stand.

The pressure of the chase mounted and Capse fell soon after reaching her maiden ODI fifty before Cape capitulated again, confirming South Africa’s victory with the England skipper’s wicket for 64.

Star all-rounder Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean then added to her tally to finish with 5-20 as England finished on 194 all out.

England’s performance was poor but they did little wrong on the field. They were at the mercy of Wolfhardt’s majestic and luckless roles.

She timed her knock and the South African total to perfection. After 40 overs, they were 202-5 with Wolfhardt on 101, before a stunning run saw 117 runs off the last 10.

Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the England bowlers with 4-44 despite her shoulder injury – she took two wickets in one over as South Africa slumped from 116-0 to 119-3.

But England struggled to maintain the momentum as Cape posted a counter-attacking 42, and despite the fall of three more quick wickets, Wolfhardt began their attack with decisive support from Chloe Tryon’s 33 not out.

South Africa will face either India or Australia in their first World Cup final on Sunday, with these two teams playing in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.