Laura Wolvaardt produced one of the best innings in Women’s World Cup history as she scored a magnificent 169 in the semi-final between South Africa and England in Guwahati on Wednesday, October 29. The 26-year-old became the first captain to score a hundred in a Women’s World Cup knockout match, guiding South Africa to 319 for 7 on a superb batting surface at the Barsapara Stadium. Despite Laura narrowly missing out on a double hundred, her lone battle with the bat put South Africa on the brink of a historic finals berth.
SA vs ENG, Women’s World Cup semi-final update
Wolvaardt finished just two runs behind Harmanpreet Kaur’s record 171 (against Australia in the 2017 semi-final) – the highest individual score in a Women’s World Cup knockout match. The South Africa captain was at her best as she maintained her superb form throughout the tournament in India, saving her most dominant performance for the semi-finals.
The Gujarat Giants batsman also equaled the record for most fifty-plus scores in Women’s World Cup history, converting her 13th such effort into a potential match-winning century of commanding class.
HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE IN A WOMEN’S WORLD CUP KILLING MATCH
- Harmanpreet Kaur – India – 171vs. Australia – Derby – 2017
- Alyssa Healy – Australia – 170 vs. England – Christchurch – 2022
- Laura Wolverardt – South Africa – 169vs. England – Guwahati –
- Nat Sciver-Brunt – England – 148 v. Australia – Christchurch – 2022
- Alyssa Healy – Australia – 129 vs. West Indies – Wellington – 2022
She became the first South African batsman to score more than 1000 runs in a Women’s World Cup match and the first player to cross the 400-run mark in the ongoing edition of the 50-over tournament in India.
Laura hit 20 boundaries and four sixes, several of which sailed deep into the stands on Wednesday afternoon. The next best score for South Africa in the semi-finals came from Tazmin Brits who scored a combined 45.
Laura and Tazmin gave South Africa a solid foundation with a 116 opening partnership, but England clawed their way back after Sophie Ecclestone’s left arm smashed the rack. Middle-order batsmen Anneke Bosch and Sune Luus fell cheaply but Laura and Marizanne Kapp leveled the innings with a crucial 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Ecclestone struck again to remove Kapp.
Just when it looked like South Africa might be restricted to a par total, the depth of their batting line-up shone through as Chloe Tryon made valuable cameos, scoring 33 off 26 balls.
After reaching her century in 115 deliveries, Laura added her next 69 runs in just 28 balls, hitting England’s bowling attack in the death over. In the 47th over, bowled by Linsey Smith, Laura went on a rampage smashing a six and three consecutive boundaries.
Wolvaardt was looking good for a double hundred but was bowled out by Lauren Bell off the last delivery of the 48th over.
It was a sensational recovery from South Africa, who were bowled out for just 97 in their last league match against defending champions Australia in Indore recently on Saturday.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
October 29, 2025
