Summary

  • SA reach World Cup final for first time - report

  • Kapp takes 5-20 as England never recover from falling to 1-3

  • Wolvaardt's world-class 169 off 143 balls powers SA

  • Skipper smashes 69 off 28 after reaching century

  • Ecclestone England's best bowler with 4-44

  • SA will play Australia or India in Sunday's final

Live Reporting

by Sam Drury, Elizabeth Botcherby & Maisie Gallen

  1. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    South Africa are such a funny team. Only they can be bowled out for less than 100 twice in a World Cup and then score 300 in a semi-final.

  2. 6 runs

    SA 307-7

    Costly misjudgement from Charlie Dean at long-on.

    She comes a yard in off the rope as Chloe Tryon hits down the ground and sees the ball drop just over her head for six.

    Had she been that yard further back, it would have been a fairly straightforward catch.

  3. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    A real shame for Laura Wolvaardt to not carry her bat. One of the best innings you’ll ever see in the game. Built beautifully, and getting over half the runs for her side. A true captain's knock. However, it does show England that if they apply themselves, this pitch is good for batting.

    Jar, Birmingham

  4. SA 299-7

    After a dot ball to start Linsey Smith's over, we have a bit of a delay because Chloe Tryon wants some new gloves but they're taking some time to get out there.

    Once they do, they seem to do the trick as Tryon heaves the next ball leg side for four.

    Four more! Tryon skips down and hits over cover this time. Even with Wolvaardt gone, England can't slow South Africa down.

  5. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    England have to acknowledge her. It's been an exceptional knock from Wolvaardt when South Africa needed her the most.

    It's been a phenomenal knock. It could well be match-winning.

  6. Henry Moeran
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Alice Capsey with the safe hands. Wolvaardt's magnificent innings comes to an ends.

    The England players give shakes of the hand and embraces to an opponent who has played magnificently.

  7. wicket

    WICKET

    Wolvaardt c Capsey b Bell 169 (SA 291-7)

    Capsey takes catch down the ground to end 'magnificent' 169 run Wolvaardt knock

    The end of a stunning knock from Laura Wolvaardt.

    The change of plan works as Wolvaardt tries to hit a slower, outside off, down the ground, but doesn't time it and Alice Capsey takes the catch in the deep.

    England's players all go over to shake Wolvaardt's hand and pat her on the back as she walks off. What an innings.

  8. SA 290-6

    Change of plan from England and it works early in this over as Lauren Bell is bowls wide outside off to Laura Wolvaardt.

    A wide and a single isn't too bad but Chloe Tryon then gets on strike and wallops the ball over mid-off for four.

  9. Henry Moeran
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    No wonder Charlotte Edwards is looking worried.

  10. Laura Wolvaardt is building some huge skyscrapers here.

    ManhattanCricviz

  11. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer in Guwahati

    I can't remember seeing a better innings live than this.

    An absolute masterclass from Laura Wolvaardt and it has been a privilege to be here to watch.

  12. SA 284-6

    England in 'world of trouble' as Wolvaardt hits four consecutive boundaries in Smith over

    Linsey Smith has been taken to the cleaners by Laura Wolvaardt.

    All just too leg side from the England spinner and Wolvaardt nails three boundaries on the spin to follow her latest mighty six.

    England are going to need a record chase if they're going to reach the World Cup final. It's likely to be well in excess of 300 as well...

  13. 150 runs

    150 for Laura Wolvaardt

    SA 271-6

    Six more - and that takes Laura Wolvaardt to 150 from just 136 balls.

    Dragged down by Linsey Smith and Wolvaardt powers it over the leg side.

  14. 6 runs

    SA 264-6

    After a brief delay while Laura Wolvaardt receives treatment for what looked like cramp in her hand, Nat Sciver-Brunt concludes her over.

    Not the end she would have wanted, though, as Wolvaardt smashes the last ball high over mid-wicket for six more.

    She moves to 149 and looks unstoppable at the moment!

  15. How's stat?!

    Rufus Bullough
    CricViz analyst

    Nadine de Klerk is averaging 35 with a strike rate of 121 in 2025, her best ever returns with the bat in a calendar year.

    Having her batting at nine and not yet at the crease feels like a miss from South Africa.

  16. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That shot was so explosive it seems to have set the fire alarm off in the stadium!

  17. SA 254-6

    Even the fire alarm going off at the stadium can't stop Laura Wolvaardt.

    She starts the over by flaying Nat Sciver-Brunt through the leg side for another four.

  18. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    A very hard chance for Sophia Dunkley but she did not really go down for it. There was not much conviction.

    Scintillating batting from South Africa's captain.

  19. dropped catch

    Wolvaardt dropped on 128

    SA 250-6

    Laura Wolvaardt is getting stuck into Charlie Dean now - but she does benefit from being given a chance.

    The South Africa skipper nails the ball out to deep mid-wicket, where Sophie Dunkley gets her hands to the ball but can't cling on.

    Another drop, tough as the chance was, and the ball goes away for four.

    Four more next ball, too, classily lifted over extra cover by Wolvaardt.

    Five overs to go and Wolvaardt is racing along now.

  20. Ffion Wynne
    BBC Sport cricket writer on BBC Radio Sports Extra

    Laura Wolvaardt is showing her T20 game now. She is not known for that, she is much more of a builder but that was a beautiful shot.