It was the perfect combination of bat and ball from South Africa’s two biggest stars that secured a historic 125-run victory over England and a maiden trip to the 50-over World Cup final. Laura Wolvaardt’s bat set the stage, and Marizanne Kapp’s ball brought the curtain down.
Wolvaardt was the architect, playing a masterful innings of 169. She weathered a mid-innings wobble (202 for six) before exploding at the death, smashing 69 runs from 28 balls to set a formidable 319-run total.
Kapp was the executioner. Defending the massive score, she delivered a brutal opening spell, including a double-wicket maiden, to leave England’s chase in ruins at one for three.
Kapp returned to finish with five for 20, becoming the all-time leading World Cup wicket-taker. Wolvaardt, meanwhile, had played what she will “surely rate as the best of her 5,121” ODI runs.
Together, their two flawless performances were a combination England simply could not handle, resulting in a comprehensive and historic victory for the Proteas.