Sophie Ecclestone’s courageous four-wicket haul proved to be in vain as a spectacular innings from Laura Wolvaardt (169) and a bowling masterclass from Marizanne Kapp (5/20) powered South Africa to a 125-run semi-final win, ending England’s World Cup.
Ecclestone, battling a painful shoulder injury, was England’s standout performer for most of the South African innings. She broke a 116-run opening stand and claimed three other key wickets, including bowling Anneke Bosch for a duck and removing a dangerous-looking Kapp.
Her efforts left South Africa at 202 for six, giving England a genuine opening. However, with Ecclestone bowled out, Laura Wolvaardt took complete control. The Proteas captain, who had just reached her hundred, exploded, smashing 69 runs from her final 28 balls.
Wolvaardt’s assault, which saw her take 20 runs off one over, pushed the total to 319 for seven, firmly slamming the door on England. The chase then turned into a procession, as Marizanne Kapp ripped through the English top order.
Kapp’s double-wicket maiden left England at one for three, a position they couldn’t recover from. She returned to claim five wickets in total, sealing a historic first-ever 50-over World Cup final appearance for South Africa.