England’s World Cup campaign came to a crashing halt as they were completely outplayed by a rampant South Africa in a 125-run semi-final defeat. A sensational captain’s knock from Laura Wolvaardt and a clinical five-wicket haul from Marizanne Kapp secured South Africa’s historic first trip to the final.
England’s day started promisingly after they asked South Africa to bat, perhaps recalling their previous encounter where they bowled their opponents out for 69. Sophie Ecclestone, battling a shoulder injury, was superb, taking four wickets and breaking a 116-run opening partnership to put England in a strong position at 202 for six.
However, Laura Wolvaardt then produced one of the great World Cup innings. After reaching her century, she launched an astonishing assault, scoring 69 runs from her final 28 balls. She demolished England’s death bowling, taking 20 off one Linsey Smith over, to power her team to 319 for seven.
The chase was a nightmare from the start. England’s top three batters were all dismissed for ducks as Marizanne Kapp delivered a devastating opening spell. Her double-wicket maiden left England in tatters at one for three, with the lone run being a wide.
Despite a maiden ODI fifty from Alice Capsey and resistance from Nat Sciver-Brunt, Kapp returned to finish the job. She claimed five for 20 in total, ripping through the middle order to bowl England out for 194. It was a comprehensive defeat that ended England’s tournament in brutal fashion.