By Admin 
This is the first time in history that South Africa women’s cricket team has reached the final of the ODI World Cup. South Africa defeated England by 125 runs in the first semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 played at the ACA Stadium. Batting first, South Africa scored 319 runs, the highest runs for the team were scored by captain Laura Wolvaardt (169). Chasing the target, England collapsed for 194 runs, Marijne Kapp’s bowling was lethal, she took 5 wickets for just 20 runs in her spell of 7 overs. Wolvaardt was chosen player of the match.
England’s third wicket fell for 1 run
In the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, England had a target of 320 runs to win, chasing which the start was very bad. Marijne Kapp bowled England’s wicket-keeper batsman Amy Jones on the second ball of the first over. Marijne had also sent Heather Knight to the pavilion on the 5th ball of the first over. On the first ball of the very next over, Ayabanga Khaka dismissed Tammy Beaumont and took England’s third wicket. England had lost 3 wickets for 1 run, the top 3 batsmen could not even open their account.
Century partnership between Natalie and Capsie
After the fall of 3 wickets for 1 run, the century partnership between captain Natalie Siver and Alice Capsey kept England’s hopes of going to the final alive. Both of them made a partnership of 107 runs for the fourth wicket. Sune Luus broke this partnership and dismissed Capsy. Capsy scored 50 runs in 71 balls. After this, captain Natalie also returned to the pavilion, she scored 64 runs in 76 balls with the help of 1 six and 6 fours. He was dismissed by Marizanne Kapp.
Marijne Kapp’s ‘Five Wicket Hall’
Marijne Kapp took her 5th wicket of this match in the 31st over. He took 5 wickets for just 20 runs in his spell of 7 overs. Linsey Smith hit some good shots in the end, she was out after scoring 27 runs. This was the 10th wicket of England’s innings, which came in the 43rd over. England’s innings collapsed for 194 runs, South Africa entered the final by winning the semi-final by a huge margin of 125 runs.
Wolvaardt played a historic inning, South Africa scored 319 runs
For South Africa, captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Britts made a century partnership (116) for the first wicket. Sophie Ecclestone broke the pair in the 23rd over, when she bowled Britsch (45). In the same over, Sophie also bowled Annie Bosch, South Africa suffered one setback after another. His third wicket fell at the score of 119 in the form of Sune Loos.
After this, captain Laura along with Marijne Kapp made a partnership of 72 runs for the fourth wicket. Laura Wolvaardt played a historic inning of 169 runs before getting out. This is his 10th century in ODI and first century in the World Cup.
For England, Sophie Ecclestone took 4 wickets for 44 runs in a spell of 10 overs. Lauren took 2 wickets for 55 runs in 10 overs. One wicket was taken by captain Natalie Siver.
South Africa took revenge
South Africa has also taken revenge for the previous edition. In the last World Cup (2022), England defeated South Africa in the semi-finals. Laura Wolvaardt could not open her account in that semi-final, Marijne Kapp was also in that match, she scored 21 runs and took 2 wickets.