After years of semi-final heartbreak, two of South Africa’s greatest servants, Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp, delivered on the biggest stage to secure a 125-run win over England. The victory finally propels the Proteas into their first-ever 50-over World Cup final.
Wolvaardt, who has more ODI runs than any other South African woman, played her finest innings, a sublime 169. After a patient century, she exploded with 69 runs off 28 balls to set a massive 319-run total.
Kapp, the “queen of seam,” then cemented her own legacy. She took five for 20, starting with a double-wicket maiden that left England at one for three. Her haul also made her the all-time leading wicket-taker in 50-over World Cup history.
England had their moments, particularly through Sophie Ecclestone’s four-wicket haul which had South Africa at 202 for six. However, they couldn’t contain Wolvaardt at the death and couldn’t handle Kapp with the new ball.
The 125-run margin of victory was a fair reflection of South Africa’s dominance, exorcising the demons of 2017 and 2022 and rewarding the perseverance of their two biggest stars.