Wolvaardt blows England away as South Africa book historic final spot

South Africa made history in Guwahati yesterday after a phenomenal innings from their captain, Laura Wolvaardt, and remarkable figures of five for 20 from Marizanne Kapp helped them to secure a 125-run win against England and progress to their first 50-over World Cup final.

- Raf Nicholson

Wolvaardt took 115 balls to bring up a maiden World Cup hundred, which was reason enough to celebrate. But with wickets tumbling at the other end, and England looking like they might have an easy enough chase on their hands, she unleashed a superb display of boundary-striking, adding 69 runs in 28 balls.

Wolvaardt slammed four sixes down the ground and slog-swept Linsey Smith for 20 runs off the 47th over. Even when she holed out to Lauren Bell in the 48th over, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk took over, hitting 16 off Smith in the 49th as England's best death bowler was made to resemble an amateur.

South Africa's 319 for seven was the second-highest total in a World Cup knockout game and a batting lineup much more solid than England's would have struggled to chase the score. But they almost seemed resigned to defeat: their top three bagged ducks and a middle order that has barely fired at this tournament did not stand a chance.

That England were one for three, with the one run being a wide, just about summed up their day - even if they did manage to put 194 on the board before being bowled out in 42.3 overs.