Cricket Match Report | South Africa beat England by 125 runs in World Cup

South Africa 319-7 (50 overs) | England 194 (42.3 overs)

England’s World Cup hopes were left in ruins after a humbling 125-run defeat to South Africa in the semi-final.

Author | Sophie T

Laura Wolvaardt produced one of the great World Cup innings, striking 169 from 143 balls to lead the Proteas to a commanding 319 for seven in Guwahati. It was a stunning display from the opener, whose fluency and precision left England’s bowlers helpless.

Terrible start to England's innings 

Set a record target in a knockout match, England endured a nightmare start, collapsing to one for three as Amy Jones, Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight all departed without scoring. Jones and Knight were bowled by a fired-up Marizanne Kapp, while Beaumont edged Ayabonga Khaka behind. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey briefly revived England’s faint hopes with a composed partnership of 105, but the task always looked beyond them.

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Capsey fell soon after bringing up her maiden ODI fifty, and Kapp struck again to remove Knight for 64, effectively sealing England’s fate. The South African all-rounder was relentless, claiming the key wickets of Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean to finish with outstanding figures of five for 20 as England were dismissed for 194.

Although England’s batting failed them, they could have few complaints about their fielding. Wolvaardt’s majestic and risk-free innings dictated the match, her late surge propelling South Africa to a total that always looked out of reach. At 202 for five after 40 overs, the innings exploded into life, with 117 runs added in the final 10.

Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, taking four for 44 despite carrying a shoulder injury. She briefly halted South Africa’s charge with two wickets in one over, reducing them from 116 without loss to 119 for three. But Kapp’s brisk 42 and Chloe Tryon’s unbeaten 33 gave Wolvaardt the support she needed to launch her devastating finale.

South Africa, beaten by England at the same stage in the last two tournaments, will contest their first World Cup final on Sunday, facing either India or Australia, who meet in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.