The South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt, went on to play a brilliant knock, helping the side to post a solid total against England in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, played on October 29 at Guwahati.

She went on to post 169 runs off 143 deliveries, which included 20 fours and 4 sixes, guiding the side to post 319 runs for 7 wickets in 50 50-over innings.

After being invited to bat first, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opened the innings while Lauren Bell opened the bowling attack.

The opener duo went on to post a solid knock, stitching a 116-run partnership for the first wicket.

Sophie Ecclestone went on to bag the first wicket dismissing Tazmin Brits for 45 runs. Ecclestone went on to bag her second wicket of Anneke Bosch for duck.

With the dismissal of Sune Luus for 1 runs by Nat Sciver-Brunt, South Africa lost three wickets for 3 runs.

However, a solid partnership from Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt has helped the side to stabilise the innings, while Sinalo Jafta and Annerie Deckersen lost their wickets cheaply.

After forging a partnership with Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt went on to post her century and went on to post 169 runs in 143 deliveries helping the side to set up crossing 300 run mark.

With Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk went on to post 33* and 10* runs to post 319 runs in their 50 over innings. Sophie Ecclestone went on to bag four wickets, while Lauren Bell bagged two wickets.

Speaking at the toss, Nat Sciver-Brunt said, “We like to bat first. I think it puts pressure on them, especially with the bat, and hopefully, for the spinners, it’ll be easier to play later on.”

“It’s very different from the wickets (talking about the surface) we’ve played on before. The Mumbai wicket is quite unique. It’s been interesting throughout the tournament, but I think the surface is really good for the final.”

“We’ve got the same team. I don’t think there’s a niggle. She’ll (Ecclestone) play through anything. She’s one of those players who doesn’t like being on the sidelines – she’ll be raring to go out there to play. I think it’s about trusting the process and everything we’ve done to get here. We know what we’re capable of,” concluded Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Meanwhile, Laura Wolvaardt said, “Probably would have looked to have a bowl as well. But then again, runs on the board in a semi-final can be pretty good too, so not too unhappy about it. We’ve got one change -Anneke Bosch comes in for Masabata Klaas.” 4

“So, playing the extra batter today. Just felt like it’s something we’ve needed in the last couple of games. Would have been nice to have someone there at the end to bat with for a bit longer.”

“Anneke’s been amazing for us, and we still have plenty of bowling options with Sune and Dercksen able to bowl as well. Hopefully, more runs in it today, but at the end of the day, it’s all about winning. That’ll be the main goal,” concluded Laura Wolvaardt.

ENGW vs SAW Playing 11

England Women Playing 11: Amy Jones(w), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

South Africa Women Playing 11: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba