Economyuk Daily Report English (UK)
economyuk.co.uk Economyuk Daily Report
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

South Africa Women vs England Women – Semi-Final 2025 Result

Henry Bennett Thompson • 2026-05-08 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

South Africa Women produced a dominant performance to defeat England Women by 125 runs in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on October 29. A record-breaking century from captain Laura Wolvaardt and a devastating spell of fast bowling from Marizanne Kapp propelled the Proteas into the tournament final.

England, despite winning the toss and choosing to field first, were overwhelmed by a ruthless South African batting display and a catastrophic top-order collapse that ended any realistic hope of chasing a daunting total. The result sets up a final berth for South Africa, marking a significant milestone in their World Cup history.

The match, witnessed by a packed crowd in Guwahati, was decided in two distinct phases: Wolvaardt’s masterful innings and then Kapp’s destruction of the English batting lineup. The margin of victory, 125 runs, underscores the gulf in performance on the day.

What Was the Result of the South Africa Women vs England Women Semi-Final?

South Africa Women won the semi-final with a commanding 125-run victory after posting a formidable total and then bowling England out for 194 in 42.3 overs. The result eliminates England from the tournament and sends South Africa to the World Cup final.

Match Date & Venue: October 29, 2025, Guwahati
Final Scores: SA Women 319/7 (50 ov); ENG Women 194 (42.3 ov)
Player of the Match: Marizanne Kapp (5/20 & 30 runs)
Result: SA Women won by 125 runs

Key Match Insights

  • South Africa Women posted their highest total in a World Cup knockout match.
  • England Women suffered a dramatic top-order collapse, losing three wickets for just 1 run inside the first over-plus.
  • Marizanne Kapp claimed her second ODI five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/20.
  • Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 150 off 142 balls, anchoring the innings.
  • Nat Sciver-Brunt top-scored for England with a resilient 64 off 59 balls.
  • Alice Capsey and Sciver-Brunt shared a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket, offering brief resistance.
  • Three England batters were dismissed for ducks, including captain Heather Knight.

Match Snapshot Facts

Field Detail
Match 1st Semi-Final, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Date 29 October 2025
Venue Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India
Toss England Women won, chose to field
South Africa Women innings 319/7 (50 overs)
England Women innings 194 all out (42.3 overs)
Result South Africa Women won by 125 runs
Player of the Match Marizanne Kapp (South Africa Women)
Key Bowling Figures Marizanne Kapp: 5/20 (6.3 ov)
Top Batter Laura Wolvaardt: 150* (142 balls)
Match Referee Not specified in official scorecards
Tournament Stage 1st Semi-Final

Who Were the Top Performers in the Match?

Two players dominated the semi-final: Laura Wolvaardt with the bat and Marizanne Kapp with the ball. Their performances were the primary factors in South Africa’s comprehensive victory, overshadowing all other individual contributions.

Laura Wolvaardt’s Record Knock

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt played an innings of exceptional control and power, finishing unbeaten on 150 from 142 balls. She anchored the innings from the first over, sharing an opening stand of 116 with Tazmin Brits, and accelerated brilliantly in the death overs. Her knock included multiple boundaries and guided her team past the 300-run mark in the 48th over.

Marizanne Kapp’s Destructive Bowling

Marizanne Kapp delivered a match-winning spell of fast bowling, taking 5 wickets for just 20 runs in 6.3 overs. She triggered England’s collapse by dismissing Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks in the first over, reducing the chase to 0/2. Kapp returned later to remove the dangerous Nat Sciver-Brunt and finish off the tail, securing her second ODI five-wicket haul.

Other Notable Contributions

For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp also contributed a quick 30 off 22 balls in a 50-run partnership with Wolvaardt. Anneke Bosch provided solid middle-order support with a brief innings before falling after adding to the 116-run opening stand. For England, Nat Sciver-Brunt stood out with a fighting 64 off 59 balls, while Alice Capsey contributed a half-century in a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Analysis: The Collapse

England’s top-order collapse—losing three wickets for 1 run inside the first 1.1 overs—was the single most decisive phase of the match. Amy Jones, Heather Knight, and Tammy Beaumont were all dismissed cheaply, leaving England at 1/3. This early disaster made the target of 320 virtually unachievable, despite the later fightback from Sciver-Brunt and Capsey.

What Is the Head-to-Head Record Between South Africa Women and England Women?

The head-to-head record between the two teams in Women’s ODIs, historically, has been dominated by England, who have won more matches overall across all formats. However, recent encounters, including this semi-final, indicate a shift in momentum. South Africa’s victory in Guwahati adds to a growing list of key wins for the Proteas in high-stakes matches.

According to historical data from ESPNcricinfo’s head-to-head records, England’s overall lead in the ODI format is significant, but South Africa has closed the gap in recent years. The exact pre-2025 series tally is not detailed in the match scorecards, but this semi-final result underscores South Africa’s resurgence as a competitive force in women’s cricket.

In T20 internationals, the historical record also favors England, though again, recent bilateral series have been closely contested. The most recent T20 series between the sides, if any, would provide the most current picture. Test matches between the two teams are rare; the historical Test head-to-head is limited to a small number of matches, with England holding a narrow advantage.

Note on Historical Data

The specific win-loss count across all three formats (ODI, T20I, Test) is not fully detailed in the match scorecards provided. For a complete and up-to-date head-to-head record, including all bilateral series results, the ESPNcricinfo database is the most authoritative source. The semi-final result is confirmed by official ICC and BBC sources.

Where Can You Watch Highlights and Live Scores?

Full match highlights and replays are typically available on the official ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup website and the official broadcasters of the tournament. The ICC platform often provides extended highlights packages, key moments, and post-match analysis.

For live scores and ball-by-ball commentary during matches, Cricbuzz offered a dedicated live scorecard and commentary for this semi-final. The BBC Sport website also provided live text updates and a detailed match report, including player quotes and expert analysis.

Additionally, for a full scorecard breakdown including batting and bowling figures for every player, the Sky Sports scorecard page provides an official, data-driven summary of the innings.

When Is the Next Match Between South Africa Women and England Women?

The immediate next match for South Africa Women is the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final, the date and venue of which will be confirmed by the tournament organizers. England Women, having been eliminated in the semi-final, have no further matches in this World Cup.

Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled for upcoming bilateral series. The full, confirmed schedule for both teams, including future tours and series, is available on the official ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 schedule page. England Women are expected to prepare for a potential tour of India or Pakistan, pending the finalized Future Tours Programme.

For the most accurate and up-to-date schedule of all upcoming matches involving these two sides, fans should refer to the official ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 schedule hub.

Timeline of Key Moments in the Semi-Final

The match unfolded in a series of decisive phases. Below is a timeline of the most critical events based on the match scorecard and official reports.

  1. 0.2 overs (England innings): Amy Jones bowled by Marizanne Kapp for a duck. England 0/1.
  2. 0.5 overs (England innings): Heather Knight bowled by Marizanne Kapp for a duck. England 0/2.
  3. 1.1 overs (England innings): Tammy Beaumont caught by Sinalo Jafta off Ayabonga Khaka for 1 run. England 1/3.
  4. 14.4 overs (England innings): Alice Capsey dropped on 28 (drop by South Africa fielders).
  5. 22.1 overs (England innings): England reach 100/3, with a 100-run partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Capsey.
  6. 28.5 overs (England innings): Sophia Dunkley dropped on 0.
  7. 30.2 overs (England innings): Sophia Dunkley dismissed. England 144/6.
  8. 35.5 overs (England innings): Linsey Smith dropped on 12.
  9. 38.6 overs (England innings): Danni Wyatt-Hodge dismissed for 27. England 175/9.
  10. 42.3 overs (England innings): Linsey Smith dismissed; England all out for 194.

Additional timeline from South Africa’s innings: The Proteas reached 150 in the 30th over and 300 in the 48th over. Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 150 came from 142 balls. The opening stand between Wolvaardt and Brits was 116 runs, and a 50-run partnership between Kapp and Wolvaardt bolstered the total.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear After the Match?

Based on the available match data and official reports, the vast majority of the semi-final result is clearly established. However, some details are less certain.

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
The final result: South Africa Women won by 125 runs. Confirmed by official scorecards and BBC Sport. Exact runs scored by several players are not fully listed in the scorecard provided (e.g., Tazmin Brits, Suné Luus). The table shows “?”) for some batters.
Marizanne Kapp’s bowling figures: 5 wickets for 20 runs in 6.3 overs. This is her second ODI five-wicket haul. Confirmed by match report. The exact number of 4s and 6s for all batters is not provided in the scorecard data.
Laura Wolvaardt’s batting: 150* off 142 balls. A century in a World Cup semi-final. The specific reason for the “?”) in the dismissal column for some England batters is not explained (e.g., if the dismissal was caught, bowled, or LBW).
The full head-to-head record (pre-2025) is not detailed in the match data. It is unclear exactly how many ODIs the teams have played against each other before this match. The exact number of dropped catches by South Africa is not fully quantified, though at least three drops are mentioned in the highlights: Capsey (14.4 ov), Dunkley (28.5 ov), and Smith (35.5 ov).

What Is the Context of South Africa Women’s Dominance?

South Africa’s victory in Guwahati builds on a trajectory of improved performances in global tournaments. The team, historically seen as strong contenders but often falling short in knockout stages, has now reached a World Cup final. The batting depth, anchored by Wolvaardt and supported by capable middle-order players like Bosch and Kapp, has been a key strength in this campaign.

England’s exit, on the other hand, raises questions about their batting fragility in high-pressure games. The collapse in Guwahati was not an isolated incident; England have occasionally struggled under scoreboard pressure in recent major tournaments. The absence of a substantial partnership after the early wickets, apart from the Sciver-Brunt-Capsey stand, exposed a lack of depth in the lower middle order.

The match also highlights the growing competitiveness in women’s cricket, where teams like South Africa, Australia, and India are consistently challenging England’s historical dominance. South Africa’s progression to the final marks a significant moment for cricket in the country, with implications for the sport’s growth and viewership in the region.

What Were the Sources and Key Quotes From the Match?

The match was covered extensively by multiple authoritative sources. BBC Sport published a detailed report titled “England slump to heavy World Cup semi-final defeat” on October 29, 2025. The BBC Sport live text and report provided the most detailed journalistic analysis of the match, including player reactions and quotes.

“England slump to heavy World Cup semi-final defeat” — BBC Sport (29 Oct 2025)

Fan reactions on social media also highlighted the shock of England’s collapse. One user on Reddit’s match thread for the 1st Semi-Final commented on the difficulty of the chase, though such user-generated content is not verified and should be treated as informal opinion rather than factual reporting.

Summary: South Africa Women vs England Women Semi-Final 2025

South Africa Women’s 125-run victory over England Women in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 was a comprehensive display of batting and bowling excellence. Laura Wolvaardt’s unbeaten 150 and Marizanne Kapp’s 5/20 were the defining performances in a match that ended England’s tournament hopes and sent the Proteas to the final. The result underscores South Africa’s emergence as a genuine title contender and raises questions about England’s ability to handle pressure in knockout matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did England Women lose the semi-final?

England Women were bowled out for 194 while chasing 320. A catastrophic top-order collapse, losing three wickets for 1 run in the first over-plus, left them with an impossible task.

What is the head-to-head record in T20 between South Africa Women and England Women?

Historically, England leads the T20 head-to-head record, but recent bilateral series have been closely contested. The exact pre-2025 count is not detailed in the available match scorecards.

Who scored the most runs in the semi-final?

Laura Wolvaardt scored 150* (unbeaten) for South Africa Women. For England Women, Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 64, and Alice Capsey added a half-century.

Where is the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 being held?

The venue for the final has not been confirmed in the match data provided. Fans should check the official ICC tournament website for the latest updates.

Who got the Player of the Match award?

Marizanne Kapp was awarded Player of the Match for her bowling figures of 5/20 and a quick 30 runs with the bat.

How many wickets did South Africa Women take in total?

South Africa Women took all 10 England wickets to bowl them out for 194 in 42.3 overs.

What was the live score at the end of the 10th over for England?

At the end of Powerplay 1 (overs 1-10), England were 34 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, having already lost their top order.

What is the significance of Laura Wolvaardt’s 150*?

It was a match-winning century in a World Cup semi-final, anchoring the innings and setting a formidable total. It is one of the highest individual scores in Women’s World Cup knockout matches.

Will there be a rematch between the teams soon?

A bilateral series between the teams is not immediately scheduled, but future tours are expected. England face a period of rebuilding after the World Cup exit.

Where can I find the full scorecard?

The full scorecard is available on Cricbuzz, Sky Sports, and the official ICC tournament website. Links are provided in this article.


Henry Bennett Thompson

About the author

Henry Bennett Thompson

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.