Proteas Women Dominate England to Reach World Cup Final in Historic Fashion

The Proteas Women have stormed into the ICC Women’s World Cup final after delivering a once-in-a-generation performance that left England stunned and South African fans celebrating from Johannesburg to Gqeberha.

Led by captain Laura Wolvaardt’s record-breaking 169-run masterclass and Marizanne Kapp’s ruthless five-wicket haul, South Africa sealed a dominant 125-run victory in what’s already being called one of their greatest ever wins on the world stage.

A Calm Before the Storm

In the build-up to the semi-final, few expected such a commanding display. Yet, according to Kapp, the mood in the dressing room before the match was surprisingly calm.

“There was a calmness within the group before the match,” she shared after the game. “Once we lost the toss, I was actually happy we were batting first. The stats showed it was the better option at this ground.”

That sense of composure translated into an unforgettable day for South African cricket.

Wolvaardt’s Historic Knock Lights Up the Tournament

Wolvaardt, already one of the brightest stars in women’s cricket, cemented her legacy with a breathtaking 169 off just 145 balls. Her innings was both elegant and ferocious, a fitting response to England the same team that had crushed the Proteas in their opening match of the tournament.

In reaching 5,000 career ODI runs, Wolvaardt became the first South African woman ever to achieve the milestone, a feat that drew admiration from cricket fans around the world.

On social media, local supporters hailed her as “a national treasure” and “the pride of Stellenbosch,” while others compared her form to AB de Villiers in his prime.

Kapp Breaks Records and England’s Hopes

If Wolvaardt built the victory, Kapp made sure it was sealed. The veteran all-rounder dismantled England’s top order with an extraordinary spell of 5/20, clean bowling both Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks.

The five-wicket haul also marked a personal milestone: Kapp became the highest wicket-taker in ICC Women’s World Cup history, surpassing India’s Jhulan Goswami with 44 career wickets.

“I probably haven’t had the best World Cup personally,” Kapp admitted, reflecting on her performance. “But I knew I was due for something special. I’m just glad it came in a semi-final.”

Looking Ahead: Dreaming of an India Showdown

With one foot firmly in history, the Proteas now wait to see who they’ll face in Sunday’s final defending champions Australia or co-hosts India.

Kapp didn’t hide her preference. “I’d love to play against India in the final,” she smiled. “Even when the crowd is against me, it feels like they’re cheering for me here.”

For South Africa, this victory means more than just a ticket to the final it’s a statement that the Proteas Women are no longer underdogs but genuine global contenders.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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