South Africa defeated England by 125 runs in an astonishing Women’s World Cup semi-final clash, thanks to an amazing innings by Laura Wolvaardt and two decisive strikes from Marizanne Kapp. Interest around the South Africa Women’s National Cricket Team vs England Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard surged following the result, as fans revisited the numbers behind one of the tournament’s most dominant knockout performances. Their contributions enabled South Africa to overcome England’s poor start at Guwahati.
Wolvaardt’s 169 off 143 balls was an astonishing one-day innings that ensured England were put under immense pressure. Kapp then compounded their woes by dismissing Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean – further adding insult to injury for England.
| Match | Format | Date / Series | Result / Scorecard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest – 3rd ODI (South Africa Women vs England Women) | ODI | Dec 11, 2023 – England Women Tour of South Africa | SA-W 278/6 (50); ENG-W 222 (46.4) — South Africa Women won by 56 runs (ESPNcricinfo | Cricbuzz) |
| 2nd ODI | ODI | Dec 9, 2023 – England Women Tour of South Africa | ENG-W 269/8 (50); SA-W 262 (49.4) — England Women won by 7 runs (ESPNcricinfo | Cricbuzz) |
| 1st ODI | ODI | Dec 7, 2023 – England Women Tour of South Africa | SA-W 270/8 (50); ENG-W 271/7 (49.5) — England Women won by 3 wickets (ESPNcricinfo | Cricbuzz) |
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt led England bowlers in a successful effort, dismantling a strong South African side and handing them a crushing defeat. The Proteas managed only an all-time low score of 69 after being dismissed within 20.4 overs, including Laura Wolvaardt who scored an exceptional 169 off 143 balls; Tazmin Brits (45), Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon provided support during her innings.
Sciver-Brunt made an immediate impact upon returning from injury: she caught Anneke Bosch leg-before with her first delivery and dismissed Brits and Sune Luus in soft dismissals, before turning her attention to middle and lower order players, trapping Sarah Taylor lbw with her second ball before picking up two additional wickets at the tail.
After an inauspicious start, England batswomen began their chase with Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones posting unbeaten scores of 40 and 21 respectively despite Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey and Nadine de Klerk decimating their middle order.
Spinners were also incredible as they kept Proteas at bay. Ayabonga Khaka and Tumi Sekhukhune both claimed wickets early, with Khaka capturing Amy Jones before Sekhukhune removed Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont within consecutive overs from Sekhukhune. When England were struggling at 73-3 Sciver-Brunt and Capsey put on an exceptional 89 run partnership to give England hope of an comeback; Sciver-Brunt then sealed victory by trapping Anneke Bosch leg before and taking five wickets overall to seal victory and her performance cemented her place among England cricket’s elite.
Marizanne Kapp
At a time when South Africa appeared vulnerable, Kapp showed why she is one of the greatest batsmen in cricket and propelled them towards victory. After starting with an aggressive fifty from 33 balls that eased pressure off of her side, she unleashed during the final overs – striking eight fours and five sixes as South Africa reached 203-9 – striking back by dismissing Sune Luus with her opening ball of this last over – before Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey stabilized their innings by Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey stabilized it by stabilising it during her outburst in this matchup.
England was facing an uphill task when they came out to bat and quickly fell behind as Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont went for ducks, before Capsey and Sciver-Brunt kept England within reach of victory with an outstanding partnership of 105 runs until Kapp returned and took both of them from Ayabonga Khaka before sealing the victory with double strikes against Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean to close out the game.
South Africa have reached their first ODI World Cup final after eliminating any memories of defeat at both 2017 and 2022 semi-finals in Guwahati with an outstanding display led by Wolvaardt and Kapp. Now they will play either India or Australia in Sunday’s decider – it was only their third victory batting first against England since 1993 in this format, marking their first defeat at home since losing to New Zealand back then!
Nadine de Klerk
South Africa are in the Women’s World Cup Final for the first time ever after Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp led their side to victory against England. South Africa have left behind memories of two previous semi-final losses by playing an amazing innings in Guwahati, followed by an astonishing bowling performance against England batsmen that will go down as one of the finest performances ever seen in one-day international cricket history. It truly was an outstanding feat that will go down as one of its finest moments ever!
Nat Sciver-Brunt made her return from Achilles injury with an impressive fifty from just 72 balls. Her unbeaten contribution kept England under control during an intricate middle period of the run chase; however, Alison Lees quickly struck back by bowling Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont out for ducks before Kapp completed a double-wicket maiden against Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean respectively.
Kapp’s incredible bowling performance continued into the final over of the match as she claimed three more scalps – including that of England captain Heather Knight who top-edged a sweep only for Tumi Sekhukune at deep backward square leg to catch it!
De Klerk dismantled England’s resistance by trapping Sophia Dunkley leg-before in the final over, and reduced them to 194/6 with just five overs remaining. Charlie Dean and Sinalo Jafta were then caught at midwicket for South Africa to complete an historic victory by 125 runs; it marked South Africa’s highest score ever in a World Cup semi-final! Next they will play Australia, who beat New Zealand to set up a clash against India for a final spot against South Africa!
Tumi Sekhukhune
The England vs South Africa women’s World Cup semi-final at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati will go down as one of the greatest contests ever seen. Laura Wolvaardt’s brilliant innings helped South Africa overcome an early low score to advance to their first 50-over final since 1984; Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Richards each achieved maiden hundreds to add further excitement.
England bowlers were outstanding throughout the match despite an ineffective first innings display with bat. Linsey Smith and Sophie Ecclestone took early wickets while Charlie Dean added two. Proteas struggled against these England bowlers as they were bowled out for just 69 in 20.4 overs with Sinalo Jafta being the sole batsman to reach 22 runs or more.
Kapp has continued her excellent bowling performance against England and their run chase with her double wicket haul, bowling with maturity and precision rarely seen in competitions like this one. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was caught at deep backward square leg while trying to play a sweep shot, another notable dismissal for Kapp.
As the match had reached an impasse, rain eventually stopped play. Once it had come, however, umpires announced no further play could take place and decided that no additional plays could take place and therefore it will now end as a draw – giving hosts still a comfortable lead but perhaps not their desired one. Still proud of their efforts against Australia with pride they can look ahead to future matches with confidence; furthermore they will be pleased at how their young players had handled themselves during such an important match-up.
Ayabonga Khaka
England and South Africa Women were both fighting hard to advance to the final, with both teams striving for victory. South Africa had already lost to England twice at World Cup semifinals, so they hoped this match could put that behind them in Guwahati. But English team was far superior, turning around early advantage with quick wicket-taking from Chris Woakes’ quickfire innings and taking out with 10 wickets victory against South Africans’ hopes for a comeback against New Zealand later in their match schedule.
The England-South Africa rivalry is among the sport’s greatest, giving fans breathless moments and exciting finishes. These matches highlight both teams’ incredible talent while showing how far women’s cricket has come since its introduction on the scene. Over time, both sides have met many times – each contest leaving fans on edge!
Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey led England’s batting with grace, making sure the run chase wasn’t at risk of being derailed by poor bowling attacks from any opposition bowlers. Both batted with maturity while rotating strike rotation and punishing change bowlers whenever possible.
South African attack was led by Marizanne Kapp who produced an outstanding bowling performance to secure their place in the final. She claimed five wickets with Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune and Nonkululeko Mlaba also picking up two wickets each. Thanks to Laura Wolvaardt’s brilliant innings at number three of their order, South Africa women’s cricket team have reached its inaugural World Cup final.