In the first semifinal of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, played at Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium, South Africa registered a spectacular 125-run victory over England and secured their spot in the final.
Sports News: In the first semifinal of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, the South African women's cricket team made history by defeating England by 125 runs. With this magnificent victory, South Africa has reached the ODI World Cup final for the first time. In this match, played at Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium, captain Laura Wolvaardt played an excellent century knock of 169 runs, guiding her team to a record score.
South Africa's Historic Performance
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a mammoth total of 319 runs for 7 wickets in 50 overs — their highest score ever in ODI history. Previously, South Africa's highest score was 312 runs, achieved against Pakistan. Captain Laura Wolvaardt hit 17 fours and 3 sixes in her 143-ball innings. She forged a 116-run partnership for the first wicket with Tazmin Brits (45 runs) and then added 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Marizanne Kapp (42 runs), putting the team in a b position.
In the final overs of the innings, Chloe Tryon (unbeaten 33 runs off 26 balls) and Nadine de Klerk (unbeaten 11 runs) batted aggressively to push the score past 300. South Africa added 117 runs in the last 10 overs, setting a challenging target for England. During this innings, Wolvaardt not only completed her century but also reached 5000 ODI international runs. In the 47th over, she scored 20 runs against left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, hitting a six and three consecutive fours, further enhancing her magnificent innings.
England's Innings Collapses
Chasing a target of 320 runs, England had a disastrous start, losing 3 wickets for just 1 run. Openers Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont, and captain Heather Knight were dismissed without scoring. South Africa's star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp did not allow the English batters to settle with her sharp bowling. She bowled Amy Jones and Heather Knight in the very first over, while in the next over, Ayabonga Khaka dismissed Tammy Beaumont, jolting England.
Subsequently, Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) attempted to steady England's innings with a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Sune Luus broke the partnership by dismissing Capsey, and then Kapp accounted for Sciver-Brunt. England's innings eventually folded for 194 runs in 42.3 overs. This marked England's second-biggest defeat in Women's World Cup history.
Marizanne Kapp's Brilliant Bowling
Marizanne Kapp delivered a brilliant bowling performance, taking 5 wickets in 10 overs and ensuring South Africa's victory. With this, she became the highest wicket-taker in Women's ODI World Cup history. She now has 44 wickets to her name, surpassing India's legendary bowler Jhulan Goswami (43 wickets).
Additionally, Nadine de Klerk claimed 2 wickets, while Ayabonga Khaka, Mlaba, and Sune Luus each took one. A fascinating coincidence that made this victory even more special was that just 27 days prior (on October 3rd), on the very same ground in Guwahati, England had bowled South Africa out for a mere 69 runs — South Africa's lowest score in Women's World Cup history.
But precisely 27 days later, against the same England team and on the same ground, South Africa exacted revenge by posting their highest ever ODI score (319 runs) and advancing to the final.
