South Africa Women stormed into their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup final after a dominant 125-run victory over England in the first semi-final at Guwahati. The Proteas’ triumph was powered by a record-breaking century from captain Laura Wolvaardt and a devastating five-wicket haul from Marizanne Kappleaving fans in awe and setting up a historic final showdown.​

Laura Wolvaardt’s record-breaking ton sets the stage

Put in to bat, South Africa got off to a flying start with an opening partnership of 116 runs between Wolvaardt and Compensation Brits. Brits contributed 45 before falling to Sophie Ecclestonewho then struck again to remove Anneke Bosch and Sleep in the Bone in quick succession, reducing South Africa to 119/3.

However, Wolvaardt stood tall, anchoring the innings with a magnificent 169 off just 143 balls, laced with 20 fours and four sixes. Her knock was the highest individual score by a South African in a Women’s World Cup and the third-highest in knockout matches, narrowly missing Harmanpreet Kaur’s record of 171.​

Wolvaardt found able support from Marizanne Kapp (42) and Chloe Tryon (33*), who helped the Proteas recover from the middle-order collapse and finish strongly with 319/7 in their 50 overs. Ecclestone was the pick of England’s bowlers with 4/44, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain the Proteas’ aggressive batting, especially in the death overs.​

Marizanne Kapp’s five-wicket haul seals the victory against England

England’s chase began in disaster as Kapp ripped through their top order, dismissing Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks in her first over. Ayabonga Khaka then removed Tammy Beaumont, leaving England reeling at 1/3.

Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) staged a brief recovery with a 100-run partnership, but Kapp returned to dismantle the middle order, claiming her fifth wicket to finish with figures of 5/20 in 7 overs. Her spell was the second five-wicket haul of her World Cup career and made her the highest wicket-taker in Women’s World Cup history, surpassing Jhulan Goswami’s record.​

England’s innings never recovered from the early blows, and they were bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs, handing South Africa a comprehensive 125-run victory.

The Proteas will now face the winner of the India vs Australia semi-final in the final, marking their first-ever appearance in a Women’s World Cup final.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also WATCH: Nat Sciver-Brunt and other English players hail Laura Wolvaardt’s century in Semi-final 1

This article was first published at WomenCricket.coma Tezzbuzz company.