England’s World Cup hopes evaporated in a stunning top-order collapse, as they succumbed to a 125-run defeat against a clinical South African side. Marizanne Kapp was the chief destroyer with a five-wicket haul, ensuring her team would advance to their first-ever 50-over World Cup final.
Chasing a daunting 320 for victory, England’s innings was left in ruins just moments after it began. Kapp produced a blistering opening spell, starting with a double-wicket maiden. Amy Jones was bowled by a “nip-backer,” and Heather Knight chopped on, leaving England at one for three, with all three dismissals being ducks.
This disastrous start was the direct result of the pressure built by South Africa’s batters, led by their captain, Laura Wolvaardt. She played an innings for the ages, compiling 169 runs. Her knock was defined by its incredible acceleration, as she added 69 runs from just 28 balls at the death.
England had felt in the game when Sophie Ecclestone (four wickets) helped reduce South Africa to 202 for six. However, they couldn’t contain Wolvaardt, who dismantled their death bowling to lift her side to 319 for seven, the second-highest score in a knockout match.
Despite a maiden ODI fifty for Alice Capsey, England were never truly in the hunt. Kapp returned to dismiss Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, and Charlie Dean, completing her five-wicket haul and capping off a dominant, history-making performance for South Africa.