South Africa Women stormed into their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup final after a dominant 125-run victory over England in the first semi-final at Guwahati. The Proteas’ triumph was powered by a record-breaking century from captain Laura Wolvaardt and a devastating five-wicket haul from Marizanne Kapp, leaving fans in awe and setting up a historic final showdown.
Laura Wolvaardt’s record-breaking ton sets the stage
Put in to bat, South Africa got off to a flying start with an opening partnership of 116 runs between Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. Brits contributed 45 before falling to Sophie Ecclestone, who then struck again to remove Anneke Bosch and Sune Luus in quick succession, reducing South Africa to 119/3. However, Wolvaardt stood tall, anchoring the innings with a magnificent 169 off just 143 balls, laced with 20 fours and four sixes. Her knock was the highest individual score by a South African in a Women’s World Cup and the third-highest in knockout matches, narrowly missing Harmanpreet Kaur’s record of 171.
Wolvaardt found able support from Marizanne Kapp (42) and Chloe Tryon (33*), who helped the Proteas recover from the middle-order collapse and finish strongly with 319/7 in their 50 overs. Ecclestone was the pick of England’s bowlers with 4/44, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Proteas’ aggressive batting, especially in the death overs.
Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul seals the victory against England
England’s chase began in disaster as Kapp ripped through their top order, dismissing Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks in her first over. Ayabonga Khaka then removed Tammy Beaumont, leaving England reeling at 1/3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) staged a brief recovery with a 100-run partnership, but Kapp returned to dismantle the middle order, claiming her fifth wicket to finish with figures of 5/20 in 7 overs. Her spell was the second five-wicket haul of her World Cup career and made her the highest wicket-taker in Women’s World Cup history, surpassing Jhulan Goswami’s record.
England’s innings never recovered from the early blows, and they were bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs, handing South Africa a comprehensive 125-run victory. The Proteas will now face the winner of the India vs Australia semi-final in the final, marking their first-ever appearance in a Women’s World Cup final.
Also READ: Highest individual scores for South Africa in Women’s World Cup history ft. Laura Wolvaardt
Here’s how fans reacted:
Take a bow Marizanne Kapp #marizannekapp #CWC25 #ENGvsSA pic.twitter.com/EVkxFMV8YX
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 29, 2025
Marizanne Kapp is on fire
She picks up a 5-wicket haul#WomensWorldCup2025 pic.twitter.com/mR8uYXg76m
— anil (@paalta_mahto) October 29, 2025
Marizanne Kapp crushed English batting line-up. pic.twitter.com/WdfbBMTpDo
— Manakdeep Singh Kharaud (@Iam_MKharaud) October 29, 2025
Marizanne Kapp single handedly winning WOMENS WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL for South Africa against England . She picked fifer against England in semifinal pic.twitter.com/cuILvK6hza
— Sallu_TweetZ (@msdsalmaan007) October 29, 2025
Marizanne Kapp rattles the England batting order with a stunning five wickets in the #CWC25 semi-final and surpasses Jhulan Goswami taking most wickets in #WomensWorldCup #ENGvSA #engvsa pic.twitter.com/B8ZQHGf233
— 22 Yards (@_22Yards) October 29, 2025
42(33) with the bat
And fifer with the ball
Marizanne Kapp for SA #CWC25 #ENGvSA #WomensWorldCup2025 pic.twitter.com/4EiroCy34j— 𝑅𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠ℎ. (@cricket12craze) October 29, 2025
SHE’S THE BEST EVER TO DO IT YES.
SHE’S THE AURA, SHE’S LAURA WOLVAARDT. pic.twitter.com/PZpzO2tXDI
— anant (@scixcric) October 29, 2025
What an Incredible person from Laura Wolvaardt https://t.co/BoYXsEUEs3
— R (@RodneyMakena) October 29, 2025
For the 1st time in Womens ODI World Cup History
South Africa Women inch Close to Enter in the Finals for the #CWC25
Laura Wolvaardt with the Bat and Marizanne Kapp with the Ball taking 5fer in the Semi-Finals vs England
PROTEAS FIRE IN #WomensWorldCup2025 … pic.twitter.com/qXKmioktxr
— Megha (मेघा) (@Megha212927) October 29, 2025
Only the 3⃣rd batter to score 150-plus in a Women’s World Cup Knockout game
Second-highest individual score by a captain in a Women’s World Cup gameLaura Wolvaardt, you are a Superhero! #GujaratGiants #BringItOn #Adani #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/1bdafQDL68
— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) October 29, 2025
A masterclass from South Africa’s senior pros!
Laura Wolvaardt leads from the front with a stunning 169(143), and Marizanne Kapp seals it with a brilliant five-wicket haul.
Experience. Class. Leadership. #LauraWolvaardt #MarizanneKapp #SAvENG #SAwvsENGw #ENGwvsSAw pic.twitter.com/dlm971SyKO— GyanGainer (@techind34820937) October 29, 2025
Also WATCH: Nat Sciver-Brunt and other English players hail Laura Wolvaardt’s century in Semi-final 1
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
