Hey cricket fans! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been glued to your screens for every boundary and wicket in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Today, we’re unpacking the ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 – a match that had it all: revenge, drama, and pure dominance. South Africa didn’t just win; they scripted history with a massive 125-run thrashing of defending champions England at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Imagine this: Captain Laura Wolvaardt walks out to bat, eyes steely after that heartbreaking 69 all-out in the group stage against the same foes. Fast-forward 50 overs, and she’s raising her bat for 169 – the highest score in a Women’s World Cup knockout since Meg Lanning’s 152 back in 2022. Then, Marizanne Kapp turns the chase into a nightmare, snaring 5/20 including two in her very first over. England? Reduced to 1/3 early on, they crumbled to 194 all out.
This wasn’t luck. It was payback for semis losses in 2017 and 2022, plus those T20 final heartbreaks in 2023 and 2024. South Africa, the eternal bridesmaids, are now in their third straight ICC final. As Wolvaardt said post-match, “We’ve been on the wrong side of two previous semis… to finally get the win means a lot.” For England, it’s back to the drawing board after a title defense gone wrong.
In this IPL Star special, we’ll break it down over-by-over, toss in stats tables for easy reading, and even pull in fresh reactions from X (formerly Twitter) buzzing about the Proteas’ charge. Whether you’re a die-hard fan reliving Wolvaardt’s leg-side sixes or a casual viewer catching up, stick around. We’ve got tactical insights, player spotlights, and a peek at tomorrow’s India vs Australia semi. Let’s swing into it!
ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025: Quick Match Summary
Before we dive deep, here’s the at-a-glance on this thriller. South Africa posted 319/7 after being put in to bat – their highest World Cup total ever. England needed a chase for the ages but folded under pressure.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | England Women (ENG-W) vs South Africa Women (RSA-W) |
| Match | 1st Semi-Final, ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 |
| Date & Time | October 29, 2025; 3:00 PM Local (9:30 AM GMT) |
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India (Capacity: 40,000) |
| Toss | ENG-W won and elected to bowl first |
| Result | RSA-W won by 125 runs |
| Player of the Match | Laura Wolvaardt (RSA-W) – 169 off 143 balls |
| Attendance | 10,410 fans |
| Broadcast (India) | Star Sports Network (TV), JioHotstar (Streaming) |
| Umpires | Eloise Sheridan, Jacqueline Williams |
| 3rd Umpire | Vrinda Rathi |
| Referee | GS Lakshmi |
Brief Scores Table:
| Team | Score | Overs | Key Batsman | Key Bowler (Opp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-W | 319/7 | 50 | L Wolvaardt 169 (143b, 20×4, 4×6) | S Ecclestone 4/44 |
| ENG-W | 194/10 | 42.3 | N Sciver-Brunt 64 (76b) | M Kapp 5/20 |
This table screams dominance – South Africa’s run rate of 6.38 vs England’s 4.56 tells the tale of a one-sided affair. Now, let’s rewind to how it all unfolded.
Pre-Match Buzz: Stakes Sky-High for ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
Walk into Barsapara on October 29, and the air crackled with tension. England, the 2022 champs, had cruised through the groups unbeaten after a minor blip against West Indies. They boasted a rock-solid record: 5-1 against South Africa in World Cups. Heather Knight’s side eyed a repeat, banking on spin wizard Sophie Ecclestone and all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt to defend their crown.
South Africa? The underdogs with fire in their bellies. Remember that group opener? Bowled out for 69 by England at this very ground – Linsey Smith’s spell was a nightmare. But the Proteas bounced back, topping the points table with wins over India and Australia. This was their shot at redemption: 0-3 in prior semis (2000, 2017, 2022), all against England. As one X user put it, “SA women matches to their first World Cup Final #ENGvSA Congratulations ladies 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”
Knight won the toss and chose to bowl – a nod to dew factors and the flat pitch (average 1st innings: 265 in the tournament). But Wolvaardt flipped the script: “Losing the toss wasn’t the worst… runs on board key in semis.” Little did England know, this call would haunt them.
Fan chatter on X was electric. Posts like “South Africa beat England! Our first World Cup final here we come! #WomensWorldCup2025 🏏🇿🇦🔥” from @gpricey23 racked up 100 likes in minutes. Over on ESPNcricinfo forums, debates raged: Could Wolvaardt silence her critics? Would Kapp’s all-round magic strike again? The stage was set for ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 magic.
South Africa’s Batting Fireworks: Wolvaardt’s 169 Steals the Show in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
South Africa openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits strode out under clear skies. England attacked with Lauren Bell’s swing and Linsey Smith’s left-arm spin – the same combo that wrecked them in the opener. But today? Different story.
Powerplay Power: 58/0 Sets the Tone
The first 10 overs were a clinic. Wolvaardt, elegance personified, picked gaps with drives through covers. Brits chipped in with a six over midwicket. No alarms, just accumulation.
| Powerplay Stats (Overs 1-10) | RSA-W | ENG-W Bowling |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 58 | – |
| Wickets Lost | 0 | Bell: 0/25 (5 ov) |
| Boundaries | 8 fours, 1 six | Smith: 0/18 (4 ov) |
| Run Rate | 5.80 | – |
By over 9.2, the 50-run stand arrived in 56 balls – Wolvaardt 33, Brits 15. The 100 came in 114 balls. England leaked extras (5 wides). As per ICC highlights, this was the tournament’s highest Powerplay – pressure off early.
Ecclestone Strikes Back: From 116/0 to 119/3
Enter Sophie Ecclestone, nursing a shoulder niggle from the NZ game. The left-armer, world’s No.1 spinner, exploded in over 23. Brits (45 off 65, 6×4, 1×6) tried a reverse sweep – bowled middle stump. Two balls later, Anneke Bosch charged and yorked herself for a golden duck. Sune Luus followed, inside-edging a pull onto stumps for 1.
| Key Collapse Overs | Wickets | Runs Added | Bowler Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.2-25.3 | 3 | 3 | Ecclestone 2/2 in 4 balls |
| Fall of Wickets | 116/1 (Brits), 116/2 (Bosch), 119/3 (Luus) | – | Sciver-Brunt 1/5 |
England roared – 119/3 in 25.3 felt chaseable. But South Africa had aces up their sleeve.
Kapp’s Breezy Rescue: Steadying the Ship to 191/4
Marizanne Kapp joined Wolvaardt at 119/3. The all-rounder, 35 and wiser, attacked. A pulled four off Sciver-Brunt, a lofted six over long-on. Their 72-run stand (66 balls) rebuilt momentum. Wolvaardt ticked over to her fifty off 52 balls.
| Partnership Breakdown | Runs | Balls | Key Shots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolvaardt-Kapp (4th Wkt) | 72 | 66 | Kapp: 4×4, 1×6 (SR 127.27) |
| Wolvaardt 100 | Off 115 balls (12×4) | – | Drives & Flicks |
Kapp fell for 42 off 33, skying Ecclestone to mid-on. But damage done – 191/4 after 36.3.
Late-Order Blitz: 117 Runs in Final 10 Overs
Sinalo Jafta (1) and Annerie Dercksen (4) came and went quick – Bell and Ecclestone on song. At 202/6 in over 40, England dreamed of defense. Enter Chloe Tryon and Wolvaardt. The skipper unleashed: three sixes in overs 41-45, including an 82m monster off Charlie Dean.
| Death Overs (41-50) | Runs | Wickets | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 117 | 1 (Wolvaardt 291/7) | Wolvaardt: 68 off 31 balls post-100 |
| Bowlers Leaked | Smith 0/69 (10 ov) | – | Sciver-Brunt 14/67 (8 ov) |
Wolvaardt’s 169 (143b, SR 118.18) included 20 fours, 4 sixes – leg-side assault pure joy. Tryon unbeaten 33 (26b), Nadine de Klerk 11* (6b). Total: 319/7. Revenge for Smith’s group-stage heroics? She conceded exactly 69 today, wicketless.
Wolvaardt later reflected, “I went through a dip, but Kappie took pressure off. Time to swing – get out or hit boundaries.” X exploded: “What a commanding performance… Revenge avenged for 2022.”
England’s Chase Crumbles: Kapp’s 5/20 Nightmare in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
319 on the board. England needed grit. Instead, they got a horror show. Chasing 320 – second-highest in WC history after Australia’s 331 vs India – started with fire from Kapp.
Opening Over Armageddon: 1/3 in 1.1 Overs
Kapp’s first over: pure poison. Ball 2: Amy Jones yorked through bat-pad – 0/1. Ball 5: Heather Knight prods at a seamer, edges onto stumps – 0/2. Ayabonga Khaka joined: Tammy Beaumont edges a straightener to keeper – 1/3.
| Dismissing Over Details | Ball | Batsman Out | Method | Kapp Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 0.2 | 2 | A Jones | b Kapp | 1-1-0-1 |
| Over 0.5 | 5 | H Knight | b Kapp | 1-2-0-2 |
| Over 1.1 | Khaka | T Beaumont | c Jafta b Khaka | – |
Worst start since 1997, per Cricbuzz. Sciver-Brunt admitted, “Not ideal losing three quick wickets.”
Sciver-Brunt & Capsey’s Valiant 107-Run Stand
At 1/3, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey dug in. Cautious at first, then fluent. Capsey, dropped on 28 off Sune Luus, reached fifty off 70 balls (6×4). Sciver-Brunt powered a six over long-off, her own half-century in 59 balls.
| Revival Partnership | Runs | Balls | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th Wkt (Sciver-Brunt-Capsey) | 107 | 130 | Capsey 50; Sciver-Brunt 50 (6×4, 1×6) |
| Score at Fall | 108/4 (22.5 ov) | – | Luus 1/41 (6 ov) |
From 1/3 to 108/4 – hope flickered. But a tough chance dropped by Brits at midwicket (clutching her wrist, subbed off injured) cost dear.
Kapp’s Return: Three Wickets in One Over – Game Over
Kapp, cramping mid-spell, returned like a storm. Over 28.3: Sciver-Brunt (64) drives, wobble-seam kisses edge – caught behind. Next over: Sophia Dunkley (2) and Charlie Dean (0) caught behind successive balls. Double golden ducks!
| Kapp’s Killer Spell | Over | Wickets | Method | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28.3 | Sciver-Brunt | c Jafta b Kapp | Edge | 138/5 |
| 30.2-30.3 | Dunkley & Dean | c Jafta b Kapp | Edges | 144/7 |
Kapp’s roar echoed – 5/20 off 7 overs (3 maidens). Her third WC five-for, best ever for SA. Times of India called it “fifer power South Africa to 125-run win.”
Tail-End Resistance Fades: de Klerk Seals It
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (34 off 31, 5×4) and Linsey Smith (27 off 36, 4×4) fought. 24-run 9th wicket. But Nadine de Klerk struck twice: Wyatt-Hodge caught sub, Smith to Luus. Lauren Bell 9* not out.
| Final Wickets Table | Score at Fall | Bowler | Batsman |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8th (33.2) | 151/8 | Mlaba | Ecclestone (2) |
| 9th (38.6) | 175/9 | de Klerk | Wyatt-Hodge (34) |
| 10th (42.3) | 194 | de Klerk | Smith (27) |
All out in 42.3. X lit up: “South Africa makes history… Wolvaardt’s century and Kapp’s five-wicket haul key.”
Player Spotlights: Stars Who Shone in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
Every great match has heroes. Here’s who lit up Guwahati.
Laura Wolvaardt: The Anchor Who Became a Storm (Player of the Match)
Wolvaardt’s 169 wasn’t just runs; it was therapy. After 69 in the opener, she anchored with 65 in the first wicket stand, then exploded – 68 off final 31 balls. Her leg-side whips and towering sixes dismantled England’s attack.
| Wolvaardt’s Innings Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 169 |
| Balls | 143 |
| Boundaries | 20×4, 4×6 |
| Strike Rate | 118.18 |
| Tournament Runs | 645 @ 92.14 (leading) |
“This feels unreal… dream about a hundred in a knockout,” she beamed. Highest WC knockout score since Lanning’s 152. X fans: “Wolvaardt’s sublime century… blown away.”
Marizanne Kapp: All-Round Warrior’s Dream Day
Kapp’s 42 off 33 gave batting depth, but her bowling? Legendary. That first over – two maidens, two strikes. Returning cramp-ridden, she snared the big fish.
| Kapp’s Match Haul | Batting | Bowling |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 42 (33b, SR 127.27) | 5/20 (7 ov, 3M) |
| Highlights | 4×4, 1×6 | 3 wickets in 2 balls |
| WC Record | 3rd five-for for SA | Best figures ever |
“So special… first wicket perfect delivery,” Wolvaardt praised her. Tears in the dressing room said it all.
Nat Sciver-Brunt: England’s Lone Lion
In a sea of ducks, Sciver-Brunt’s 64 was defiance. She and Capsey added 107, hitting six off Luus. But Kapp’s edge ended dreams.
| Sciver-Brunt Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 64 (76b, 6×4, 1×6) |
| Partnership | 107 (4th wkt) |
| Captain’s Take | “We ran our best… disappointed” |
“We didn’t put a whole game together,” she sighed.
Sophie Ecclestone: Spinner’s Grit Amid Pain
Shoulder taped, Ecclestone’s 4/44 was England’s bright spot. Her triple strike nearly derailed SA. But 44 runs off 10 – tough day.
| Ecclestone’s Spell | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Figures | 4/44 (10 ov) | 4.40 |
| Key Victims | Brits, Bosch, Kapp, Dercksen | – |
Only multi-wicket haul for ENG. BBC noted her “point of difference” potential.
Tactical Deep Dive: Why South Africa Dominated ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
Cricket’s a chess game. Here’s where moves won – and lost.
Powerplay Battle: SA’s Edge
SA’s 58/0 vs ENG’s later 34/3. Wolvaardt-Brit’s rotation vs England’s early swing.
| Powerplay Comparison | RSA-W | ENG-W |
|---|---|---|
| Runs/Wickets | 58/0 | 34/3 |
| RR | 5.80 | 3.40 |
Spin vs Pace: Ecclestone vs Kapp
Ecclestone troubled but expensive. Kapp’s seam movement lethal on flat track.
| Bowling Economy Table | Bowler | Team | Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best | M Kapp | RSA | 2.90 |
| Next | S Ecclestone | ENG | 4.40 |
| Worst | L Smith | ENG | 6.90 |
Death Overs Disaster for England
117 conceded in 41-50. Sciver-Brunt leaked 14 in one over.
| Death Overs (RSA) | Runs | ENG Bowlers |
|---|---|---|
| 41-50 | 117/1 | Dean 0/67 (10 ov) |
Fielding Fumbles: Drops That Cost
England dropped Capsey (28) and Wolvaardt (36) – 100+ extra runs?
| Dropped Chances | Batsman | Fielder | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capsey | N Shangase (sub) | Long-on | Led to 50 |
| Wolvaardt | L Bell | Short fine | Built to 169 |
Win probability swung: 50% at toss, 92% after ENG 1/3, dipped to 68% at 108/4, then 99% post-Kapp. Outlook India: “Stunning all-round display.”
Historic Milestones: Records Shattered in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
This match rewrote books.
| Record Broken | New | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Highest WC Knockout Score | Wolvaardt 169 | Lanning 152 (2022 SF) |
| Best SA WC Bowling | Kapp 5/20 | Luus 5/67 (2017) |
| Biggest ENG WC Defeat | 125 runs | 126 vs AUS (1988) |
SA’s first ODI WC final (men/women). Third straight ICC final for women. From 9 semi losses/ties to 1 win.
| SA WC Semis History | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (M/W) | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 (AUS 1999) |
X: “Third ICC final in a row… buried the ghosts.”
Post-Match Vibes: Quotes & Reactions from ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
Dressing rooms buzzed. Wolvaardt: “Very special… proud of how we played. 320 enough? Credit bowlers.”
Sciver-Brunt: “Hugely disappointed… stuck at it, but need whole game.”
Kapp (teary): Emotions poured as team celebrated.
X reactions: “What a revenge! Buried ghosts of 2017/2022.” Indian Express: “Knock of her life.”
 IND W vs AUS W 2nd Semi Final Preview.
What’s Next: Road to the Final After ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
South Africa rests, eyes on DY Patil, Navi Mumbai (Nov 2). Opponent? Winner of India vs Australia SF2 (Oct 30, 9:30 AM GMT).
If India: Home roar, Harmanpreet vs Wolvaardt blockbuster.
If Australia: Title clash, Aussies chase 7th crown.
Wolvaardt: “Whoever, great occasion… celebrate little, then reset.” X: “Can SA lift ICC trophy? Denied twice.”
FAQs: ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025
1. Who won the ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
South Africa Women won by a massive 125 runs, securing their first-ever ODI World Cup final appearance. Batting first after losing the toss, they posted 319/7, powered by Laura Wolvaardt’s historic 169. England collapsed to 194 all out in 42.3 overs, with Marizanne Kapp claiming a sensational 5/20. ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 This victory ended England’s title defense and avenged their group-stage 69 all-out defeat at the same venue.
2. What was Laura Wolvaardt’s score in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
Laura Wolvaardt scored 169 off 143 balls (20 fours, 4 sixes) – the highest individual score in a Women’s World Cup knockout since Meg Lanning’s 152 in 2022. She built partnerships of 116 (with Brits), 72 (with Kapp), and 89 (with Tryon), accelerating in the death overs to push South Africa past 300. ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 Named Player of the Match, she now leads the 2025 WC run charts with 645 runs @ 92.14.
3. How many wickets did Marizanne Kapp take in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
Marizanne Kapp took 5/20 in 7 overs (3 maidens) – the best bowling figures by a South African in World Cup history. She struck twice in the first over (Jones & Knight), returned to dismiss Sciver-Brunt (64), and sealed victory with two catches behind in successive balls. ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 Her all-round brilliance (42 off 33) earned tears of joy in the dressing room.
4. Is this South Africa’s first ODI World Cup final?
Yes – this is South Africa’s first-ever ODI World Cup final for men or women. They had lost all three previous women’s semi-finals (2000, 2017, 2022). This win marks their third consecutive ICC final across formats (T20WC 2023 & 2024 runners-up). ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 The Proteas now await India or Australia in the November 2 final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
5. What is the biggest defeat for England in Women’s World Cup history after ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
The 125-run loss is England’s second-biggest World Cup defeat. Only Australia’s 126-run win in 1988 (North Sydney) was larger. England’s top three fell for 1 run – their worst Powerplay start in WC history (1/3 after 1.1 overs). ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 They never recovered despite a 107-run stand between Sciver-Brunt and Capsey.
6. Where was the ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 played?
The match was held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India, on October 29, 2025. The same venue witnessed South Africa’s 69 all-out in the group stage. ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 A flat pitch (avg. 1st inns: 265) and 10,410 fans created an electric atmosphere. Umpires: Eloise Sheridan & Jacqueline Williams.
7. Who bowled Sophie Ecclestone in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
Sophie Ecclestone took 4/44 in 10 overs, despite a shoulder injury. She triggered a collapse from 116/0 to 119/3 with wickets of Brits (reverse sweep), Bosch (yorker), Kapp, and Dercksen. However, she couldn’t stop Wolvaardt’s late assault. ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 She was England’s only bowler with multiple wickets.
8. When and where is the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final?
The final is on November 2, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. South Africa will face the winner of India vs Australia 2nd Semi-Final (October 30, Navi Mumbai). ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 A packed home crowd awaits if India qualifies; Australia chases a 7th title.
9. What was the toss result in ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
England Women won the toss and elected to bowl first. Captain Heather Knight aimed to exploit early conditions, but the decision backfired. ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt later said, “Losing the toss wasn’t the worst thing – runs on the board were key in a semi-final.”
10. How did South Africa qualify for their first World Cup final after ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025?
ENG-W vs RSA-W 1st Semi Final 2025 South Africa qualified with a complete performance:
- Batting: 319/7 (Wolvaardt 169, Tryon 33*)
- Bowling: Kapp 5/20, de Klerk 2/24
- Fielding: 4 catches behind stumps, clinical pressure They overcame a mid-innings wobble (119/3) and England’s fightback (108/4) to win by 125 runs – a statement victory over the defending champions.
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