In a memorable evening in Guwahati, South Africa put together a complete, heartfelt performance to topple England by 125 runs in the Women’s World Cup semi-final. Captain Laura Wolvaardt produced a headline-making innings while the bowlers finished the job, handing South Africa a spot in the title match.

Asked to bat, the visitors piled up 319 for seven as Wolvaardt compiled a magnificent 169 from 143 deliveries, peppering the boundary with 20 fours and four sixes. Her patient yet authoritative knock anchored the innings and kept South Africa in control throughout.

Wolvaardt and opening partner Tazmin Brits laid the groundwork, adding 116 for the first wicket to frustrate England’s attack. Brits made a useful 45 before Sophie Ecclestone drew the breakthrough. Later, Wolvaardt stitched together a vital 72-run stand with Marizanne Kapp to maintain the momentum.

England’s returning spinner Sophie Ecclestone showed flashes of class, claiming two wickets in the same over and finishing with figures of 4 for 44. But even her impact couldn’t halt Wolvaardt’s rhythm as the South African captain continued to dictate terms.

South Africa accelerated late, collecting 117 in the final ten overs. Chloe Tryon provided quickfire runs with an unbeaten 33 to push the total even higher. Wolvaardt’s marathon innings finally ended in the 48th over when Lauren Bell held a catch — a moment that drew warm applause and acknowledgment from the England players.

The chase unravelled almost immediately. Marizanne Kapp struck with a two-wicket maiden to remove Amy Jones and Heather Knight, and Ayabonga Khaka then dismissed Tammy Beaumont with her first legal delivery, leaving England reeling at 1 for 3 inside the opening overs.

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey attempted to rebuild, knitting together a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket. Sciver-Brunt battled to 64 and Capsey reached 50, but Kapp returned to break the resistance and remove the captain.

Kapp produced a devastating finish, taking successive wickets to dismiss Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean and completing a 5 for 20 spell that ended England’s fightback. The tourists wrapped up the innings with England all out for 194 in 42.3 overs.

The result continues a painful trend for England, who have now been eliminated by South Africa in their last three World Cup semi-finals. The defending champions were undone by fragile batting early on and an inability to contain Kapp’s genuine pace.

South Africa will now await the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and hosts India in Navi Mumbai, with a chance to lift their first Women’s World Cup crown on Sunday. Wolvaardt’s bat and Kapp’s ball have given the team genuine belief that they can go all the way.

The Guwahati semi-final was a showcase of teamwork and temperament. Wolvaardt’s elegant 169 set the tone and Kapp’s fiery spell closed the door — a balanced performance that marks South Africa as a serious contender for the title.