ENG vs SA Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025 1st Semi Final: Laura Wolvaardt century, Marizanne Kapp fifer power South Africa to 125-run win; reach first-ever ODI World Cup final

Right then, we have our first finalist. For the third year in a row, South Africa are one step away from glory, having previously endured heartbreaks in the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cup finals. They now await the winner of the second semifinal between Australia and India, which will take place at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, 30th October. Fingers crossed the weather stays clear because it promises to be a blockbuster contest. The first ball will be bowled at 9.30 am GMT, but make sure to join us early for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, expresses her delight after the win, saying it was 'very special' and a sweet revenge against the team that had beaten them in the last two World Cup semi-finals. She admits that the memory of their 69 all-out loss did linger, but losing the toss didn't bother her too much, as she would have opted to bowl anyway. Wolvaardt stresses the importance of having runs on the board in a knockout game and was pleased with her bowlers' performance. She highlights the strong partnerships that defined the game, particularly the opening stand between her and Tazmin Brits. Shares that although they lost a few quick wickets, Marizanne Kapp's incredible batting took the pressure off her and allowed her to play freely. Adds that with a strong batting line-up to come, she decided to take advantage and play aggressively, and she was thrilled with how it ended.

The captain of England, Nat Sciver-Brunt admits that they were not at their best and you have to put in a whole game together, if you are to beat the top teams. Mentions that they are hugely disappointed as a side but feels that they did not let the game drift away despite the start South Africa had with the bat and stuck at it as a side. Believes that they did not let the occasion get to themselves, and she is pleased with the energy shown by the group. Praises Laura Wolvaardt for the way she batted. Admits that Marizanne Kapp bowled brilliantly upfront, and losing early wickets made it all the more difficult in the chase. Tells that this loss will hurt, but she hopes to take the lessons from this defeat and move forward.

The skipper of South Africa, Laura Wolvaardt is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her stunning knock of 169 runs from 143 balls. She is overjoyed, feeling like she's living a dream on this special day. She credits her solid start with Tazmin Brits, saying they planned to go out strong and build a partnership. As for her aggressive approach towards the end, Laura reveals she aimed to reach the 40-over mark and then let her game flow freely. On her century, Laura states that it ranks high on her list due to the big stage of the semi-final match.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, South Africa’s skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, lit up the stage with a magnificent 169. Her 116-run opening stand with Tazmin Brits set the perfect platform before England hit back with a few quick strikes. The arrival of Marizanne Kapp eased the pressure on Wolvaardt and ensured the innings stayed on track. There was another phase when England picked up wickets in clusters to claw their way back, but once Sophie Ecclestone was done with her spell, Wolvaardt went into overdrive. Towards the end, contributions from Chloe Tryon and Nadine De Klerk took Proteas to 319. Ecclestone stood out with the ball with figures of 4 for 44 from 10 overs, including a maiden.

After Capsey perished, Danni Wyatt-Hodge came in with intent and kept the momentum going. Marizanne Kapp had gone off the field due to cramps after her first spell, and upon her return, she had to serve time out before being eligible to bowl again. But once she was allowed to, she delivered handsomely. Even with the old ball, Kapp managed to extract movement off the seam, first claiming the prized scalp of the English captain before striking twice more to dent England further and complete a superb five-wicket haul. That effort from Kapp in the second spell effectively sealed the fate of the game.

History stood between England and a place in the final, as 264 was the highest total they had ever chased in an ODI. The pursuit, though, could not have started any worse. Marizanne Kapp’s double strike and one from Ayabonga Khaka left them reeling at 1/3. Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt then joined forces to steady the ship. The pair rotated the strike smartly and picked up the odd boundary to forge the recovery. At the halfway stage, there wasn’t much to separate the two sides. Both had identical scores of 119, though England had lost two more wickets.

Ghosts of Bristol and Christchurch have been laid to rest in Guwahati! South Africa have overcome their semifinal heartbreaks from 2017 and 2022 to reach their first-ever ODI World Cup final. The celebrations have begun in the Proteas camp. Smiles, hugs, and pure joy all around as they remind themselves that just one final push remains. England were far from their best with the ball, and after the way their chase began, it was always going to be an uphill task. In the end, they were simply outplayed by the better side on the night.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, OUT! CAUGHT! SOUTH AFRICA ARE IN THE FINAL! Pace taken off by Nadine De Klerk, fuller in length, at the sticks. Linsey Smith swings hard to go down the ground. Ends up slicing it off the outer half to the right of mid off. Sune Luus moves to her right and slides to take a safe catch. South Africa win by 125 runs and reach their first-ever ODI World Cup final!

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, On a short of a length, on off, Smith slaps it hard back towards the bowler. Nadine De Klerk gets low on her follow-through to make the stop.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, Attempts the pace-off delivery but ends up bowling a low full toss, on middle. Linsey Smith swipes it hard but Laura Wolvaardt at mid-wicket dives to her right to cut it off.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, FOUR! Short of a length around off, Lauren Bell goes deep in her crease and smashes this over the bowler for a boundary down the ground.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, Fuller on middle and off, Lauren Bell defends this out.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, Tossed up on middle and leg, Lauren Bell pushes this back to the bowler.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, Flighted on off, Lauren Bell blocks to mid on.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, Pushed through on off, Lauren Bell drives it a bit uppishly towards cover.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Lauren Bell shifts her body weight onto the back foot and cuts this through point for four.

Nadine De Klerk to Lauren Bell, Good length wide of off, Lauren Bell cuts this to the third man region for a single.

Nadine De Klerk to Lauren Bell, On a length around off, Lauren Bell punches this to cover.

Nadine De Klerk to Lauren Bell, Good length around off, Lauren Bell drives this to mid off.

Nadine De Klerk to Lauren Bell, On a length around off, Lauren Bell blocks this back to the bowler.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, On a length around off, Linsey Smith chips this down the ground to long on for one.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, Good length on off, Linsey Smith blocks.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, Floated around off, Lauren Bell cuts this to cover-point.

Chloe Tryon to Lauren Bell, Quicker one on off, Lauren Bell blocks.

Chloe Tryon to Linsey Smith, Short and going down the leg, Linsey Smith flicks this to deep backward square leg for one.

Chloe Tryon to Linsey Smith, FOUR! Tossed up, around off, Linsey Smith jumps down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts this over cover for a boundary.

Chloe Tryon to Linsey Smith, Tossed up on off, Linsey Smith drives this to cover on the bounce.

Chloe Tryon to Linsey Smith, FOUR! Tossed up on middle and leg, Linsey Smith jumps down the track and chips this wide to the left of Sune Luus at long on for a boundary.

Lauren Bell is the last batter for England.

Nadine De Klerk to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, OUT! CAUGHT! On a length around the pads, Danni Wyatt-Hodge flicks this in the air and straight to the sub fielder, Tumi Sekhukhune at the deep backward square leg fence for her dismissal. South Africa Women are just one wicket away from a resounding victory.

Nadine De Klerk to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, On a length, going down the leg. Danni Wyatt-Hodge looks to pull on the swivel but misses out.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, Good length wide of off, Linsey Smith punches this to sweeper cover for one.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, On a length around off, Linsey Smith nudges this to mid-wicket.

Nadine De Klerk to Linsey Smith, On a length, angling across the batter. Linsey Smith looks to cut this but misses out.

Nadine De Klerk to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Back of a length around middle and leg, Danni Wyatt-Hodge pulls this flat to deep square leg for one.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Linsey Smith, Tossed up on off, Linsey Smith blocks.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Linsey Smith, Fuller on off, Linsey Smith defends this to mid off.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Short and wide of off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge cuts this to deep point for one.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, FOUR! Quicker and flatter around off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge pushes at the ball and edges this away towards the third man region and finds the fence for four runs here.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Linsey Smith, Tossed up on middle and leg, Linsey Smith chips this towards deep mid-wicket and takes one. A full-stretch diving effort in front from Annerie Dercksen at the deep mid-wicket fence but the ball falls short of her. Single taken.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Linsey Smith, Tossed up, turning into the batter a long way back. Linsey Smith looks to block but gets it off her glove and towards short fine leg for no run.

Ayabonga Khaka to Linsey Smith, Back of a length on middle and off, Linsey Smith pulls this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ayabonga Khaka to Linsey Smith, On a length around middle and leg, Linsey Smith tucks this to mid-wicket.

Ayabonga Khaka to Linsey Smith, Good length on off, Linsey Smith cuts this to point.

Ayabonga Khaka to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Slower one, on leg, Danni Wyatt-Hodge drills this down to long on for one.

Ayabonga Khaka to Linsey Smith, Good length on the pads, Linsey Smith steps inside and goes for the flick but misses and gets it brushed off the pads towards fine leg for a leg bye.

Ayabonga Khaka to Linsey Smith, Good length on off, Linsey Smith defends this out.

Nonkululeko Mlaba to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Fuller on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge slices this to point.