South Africa emphatically banished the ghosts of past semi-final failures, marching into their first-ever 50-over World Cup final with a comprehensive 125-run thrashing of England. After heartbreaking exits in 2017 and 2022, this victory was a sweet reward for veterans Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp.
The pair, two of South Africa’s greatest servants, were the heroes of the day. Wolvaardt played an innings of sheer brilliance, scoring 169. After patiently building to a century, she unleashed an incredible display of power-hitting, adding 69 runs in just 28 balls to propel her team to 319 for seven.
England had briefly held the upper hand after Sophie Ecclestone’s four wickets helped restrict South Africa to 202 for six. However, they had no answer to Wolvaardt’s late onslaught, with Linsey Smith’s 47th over disappearing for 20 runs.
Facing a monumental target, England’s batting lineup crumbled. Marizanne Kapp tore through the top order with a double-wicket maiden, leaving England at a calamitous one for three, with ducks for all their top-three batters.
Kapp, who also became the all-time leading 50-over World Cup wicket-taker, returned to claim three more scalps and finish with five for 20. Despite a 107-run stand for the fourth wicket, England were bowled out for 194, sealing a historic day for South Africa.