Laura Wolvaardt’s magnificent century and Marizanne Kapp’s fiery five-wicket haul propelled the Proteas Women to a commanding 125-run victory over England in Guwahati on Wednesday, securing South Africa’s first-ever spot in an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final.
Wolvaardt produced a stellar knock of 169 off 143 balls, including 20 fours and four sixes, to help South Africa post their highest 50-over World Cup total of 319/7 before Kapp followed up her 33-ball 42 with a career-best return of five for 20 to dismiss England for 194 in 42.3 overs.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, South Africa made the most of the opportunity. Openers Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (45) gave their team a dream start. The pair raced to 58/0 in the powerplay, setting the tone early. They brought up the 100-run partnership, with Wolvaardt reaching her 39th ODI half-century while surpassing the 5,000-run milestone in One-Day Internationals (ODI).
Just as South Africa looked set to kick on, England struck back through Sophie Ecclestone (4/44). The left-arm spinner dismissed Brits and Anneke Bosch (0) in the same over, before Nat Sciver-Brunt (1/67) removed Suné Luus (1), leaving the Proteas at 119/3 halfway through their innings.
Showing resilience, Wolvaardt and Kapp steadied the innings with a crucial 72-run stand for the fourth wicket. Their partnership pushed South Africa close to the 200-run mark before Ecclestone returned to dismiss Kapp, halting their momentum once again.
England continued to apply pressure with a few quick wickets, as Sciver-Brunt bowled Sinalo Jafta (1) while Annerie Dercksen (4) was bowled by Ecclestone, reducing South Africa to 202/6 in the 41st over.
With wickets tumbling around her, Wolvaardt stood firm. The skipper brought up her 10th ODI century and then accelerated fearlessly, unleashing a series of boundaries to take the attack to the English bowlers. She found an able partner in Chloé Tryon (33*), and together they put on a blistering 89-run stand, with Wolvaardt registering her second score of 150-plus in ODIs.
Although she eventually fell late in the innings, her heroics ensured the Proteas finished with a formidable 319/7 from their 50 overs.
In their defence of the daunting target, the Proteas Women made a superb start with ball in hand. Kapp removed Amy Jones (0) and Heather Knight (0) without scoring in the first over, before Ayabonga Khaka (1/28) struck with her first ball of the match, dismissing Tammy Beaumont (0), caught behind, to leave England reeling on 1/3 in the second over.
With their backs against the wall, England captain Sciver-Brunt (64) combined with Alice Capsey (50) for an important 107-run partnership, with both batters bringing up their respective fifties before Luus (1/41) broke the stand by sending Capsey back to the hut to leave the English 108/4 in the 23rd over.
Although England soldiered on to 138/4 by the 29th over, Kapp returned for another incredible spell, picking up three crucial wickets in two overs, including the key scalp of Sciver-Brunt as well as Sophia Dunkley (2) and Charlie Dean (0) in consecutive balls to further rock England’s chase.
With South Africa on the verge of a historic triumph, Nadine de Klerk (2/24) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/40) wrapped up the match with three late wickets to seal the Proteas Women’s passage to their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final with 7.3 overs to spare.
The Proteas will now face the winner of the match between India and Australia in the grand finale on Sunday, 02 November at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
