Unbreakable Women Proteas: Wolvaardt’s Record and Kapp’s Firepower Seal South Africa’s First World Cup Final

Karen Scheepers
Oct 30
3 min read

South Africa have reached their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final, breaking their long-standing semi-final curse with a commanding 125-run victory over England in Guwahati on Wednesday. It was a performance for the ages, built on captain Laura Wolvaardt’s record-breaking 169 and sealed by Marizanne Kapp’s devastating five-wicket haul, as the Proteas women wrote their names into cricketing history.

Wolvaardt’s Masterclass: A Captain’s Knock of Pure Class

Batting first after losing the toss, South Africa produced one of their most complete batting performances of the tournament. Leading from the front, Laura Wolvaardt played an innings that redefined composure and command under pressure, a stunning 169 off 143 balls, including 20 fours and four sixes.

The South African captain’s innings was not only the highest individual score in the 2025 Women’s World Cup, but also her first century against England and her tenth in ODI cricket. It was a masterclass of timing, shot selection, and mental strength.

Wolvaardt’s 100-run opening stand with Tazmin Brits (45) laid the foundation, before a quickfire 42 from Marizanne Kapp and a composed 33 not out from Chloe Tryon lifted South Africa to a formidable 319/7, the second-highest total in Women’s World Cup history.

During her innings, Wolvaardt also became the first South African woman to surpass 5,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone at just 26 years old. She is now the second-fastest player in women’s cricket history to reach that landmark and the only South African (male or female) to cross 5,000 in the format.

For her brilliance, Wolvaardt was named Aramco Player of the Match.

Kapp’s Firestorm: A Spell for the Ages

If Wolvaardt’s innings set the tone, Marizanne Kapp’s spell finished the job in emphatic fashion. The veteran all-rounder produced one of the most destructive performances in Women’s World Cup history, ripping through England’s top order with 5 wickets for just 20 runs in 7 overs.

Kapp struck with her second delivery, bowling Amy Jones through the gate, before dismissing Heather Knight in identical fashion two balls later. England were reduced to 0–2 and never truly recovered.

Returning for her second spell, Kapp claimed the crucial wickets of Nat Sciver-Brunt (64), Sophia Dunkley, and Charlie Dean, dismantling England’s resistance and completing her five-wicket haul in spectacular style. Her spell not only broke England’s backbone but also elevated her to the top of the all-time Women’s World Cup wicket-takers list, a testament to her longevity and consistency.

Supporting Stars and Milestones

South Africa’s performance was not about two players alone, it was a total team effort filled with key contributions and milestones:

Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed her 50th career ODI wicket, joining South Africa’s elite list of top female spinners. Her flight and accuracy tightened the screws during England’s middle overs.
Ayabonga Khaka provided early support with a crucial wicket, removing Tammy Beaumont to leave England reeling at 1–3.
Nadine de Klerk capped off the victory with the final wicket in the 43rd over, triggering jubilant celebrations as the Proteas stormed into their first World Cup final.

England were eventually bowled out for 194, with South Africa sealing victory by 125 runs, their most dominant knockout win in tournament history.

Breaking the Barrier: Redemption and Resilience

The win carried extra emotional weight for South Africa, who had been eliminated by England in the semi-finals of both the 2017 and 2022 World Cups. This time, they turned heartbreak into triumph.

Captain Wolvaardt reflected after the match: “We identified early that it was a good wicket and wanted to make it count. I wanted to take it deep and when the moment came, push hard. It’s an incredible feeling to finally reach the final, the team has worked so hard for this.”

Next Fixture: The Grand Final Awaits

South Africa will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Final on Sunday, 2 November, at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

It will be a defining moment for the Proteas, a chance to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time and cap off what has already been a golden campaign of leadership, teamwork, and unbreakable spirit.