South Africa’s women’s cricket team made history yesterday by storming into their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final, thrashing England by 125 runs in Guwahati. It was a day of dominance built on captain Laura Wolvaardt’s majestic century and Marizanne Kapp’s devastating five-wicket haul.

Batting first, the Proteas piled up 319 for 7, their highest total in a World Cup knockout. Wolvaardt led from the front with a commanding 169 off 143 balls, striking 20 fours and four sixes in a career-defining innings. She shared a 116-run opening stand with Tazmin Brits, before rebuilding with Kapp and later Chloe Tryon as South Africa accelerated past 300. England’s Sophie Ecclestone fought back with 4 for 44, but her side leaked crucial runs in the final overs.

England’s reply collapsed almost immediately. Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka ripped through the top order, reducing them to 1 for 3 inside four overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and Alice Capsey (50) offered brief resistance with a 100-run stand, but once Sune Luus removed Capsey and Kapp returned to dismiss Sciver-Brunt, the chase imploded. England were bundled out for 194 in under 43 overs.

After heartbreak in previous semi-finals, the victory marked a breakthrough moment for South African women’s cricket. The Proteas will now face the winner of today’s second semi-final between India and Australia in Sunday’s final and have a shot at the world title that has eluded them for decades.