South Africa Women skipperLaura Wolvaardt turned out to be a star performer with her captain’s knock of 169(143) runs in the first semi-final of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup against England Women at
Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Looking to enter their first ODI World Cup final, the Proteas Women posted 319/7 in their 50 overs giving England Women a target of 320 runs to win.
After a good start by the opening batters, South Africa Women kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Laura Wolvaardt played a like a lone warrior and took the Proteas Women past 300 runs. She also got support from batters like Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp.
Laura Wolvaardt plays captain’s knock of 169 runs
Coming to bat first after losing the toss, South Africa Women got a steady but a great start as Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put up an opening partnership of 116 runs in 22.2 overs. Brits got out after scoring 45 runs off 65 balls hitting six fours and one six. After that, South Africa lost a couple of wickets and were reduced to 119/3. After that, Marizanne Kapp joined Wolvaardt at the crease as the duo added 72 runs for the fourth wicket.
Kapp got out after scoring 42(33) runs hitting four fours and a six. After that, a couple of more wickets fell and then Chloe Tryon Wolvaardt put up a partnership of 89 runs for the seventh wicket. The South African skipper got out after a well-made 169 runs off 143 balls hitting 20 fours and four sixes. After that, Chloe gave finishing touches with 33*(26) as South Africa post more than 300 runs. For England Women, Sophie Ecclestone took four wickets, Lauren Bell scalped two while skipper Nat Sciver Brunt put one in her bag.
