South Africa Defeat England by 125 Runs, Enter Women’s World Cup Final for the First Time

South Africa beat England by 125 runs in the first semi-final of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 in Guwahati on Wednesday and reached the final for the first time. The England women's cricket team won the toss and asked South Africa to bat first. South Africa lost 7 wickets while scoring 319 runs in 50 overs allotted to them. The England women's cricket team, in return, was bowled out for 194 runs in 42.3 overs. 

The England team, chasing the score of 320 runs placed by South Africa, failed to make a good beginning. They lost 3 wickets with the score of 3. Captain Nat Sciver Brunt and Alice Capsey then put on a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bringing the team back into the contest. However, after a half-century, Alice Capsey was dismissed, and the South African bowlers brought their team back into the contest. However, the dismissals of captain Nat Sciver Brunt (64) and Danni Wyatt (34) dashed England Women's hopes of reaching the final. Coming in to bat at number 10, Linsey Smith was dismissed for 27. England Women were all out for 194 in 42.3 overs, losing by a massive 125-run margin.

Marizan Kapp was the most successful bowler for South Africa, taking 5 wickets for 20 runs in 7 overs, including 3 maidens. Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Sun Luus each took 1 wicket. Nadine de Klerk took 2 wickets.

Earlier, proving England's decision wrong, captain Laura Wolvaardt gave the team a great start by sharing 116 runs for the first wicket with Tajmin Brits. However, after the dismissal of Tajmin Brits, South Africa suffered two consecutive blows. After this, Laura Wolvaardt put on 72 runs for the fourth wicket with Marizanne Kapp and 89 runs in 47 balls for the seventh wicket with Chloe Troyon, putting the team in a strong position.