Laura Wolvaardt scripts history for South Africa with 169, entire England team runs to congratulate her
Laura Wolvaardt scripted history on Wednesday during the Women's World Cup semi-final against England Women in Guwahati. The Proteas skipper stamped his authority over the English bowlers with her 169-run knock, which helped South Africa post a mammoth 319/7 in 50 overs.
She produced a breathtaking knock of 169 runs from just 149 deliveries, peppered with 20 boundaries and 4 towering sixes. Her commanding innings not only showcased her superior stroke play but also underlined her temperament on the grand stage of the all-important semifinal. Following her breathtaking innings, the England players rushed to embrace her, acknowledging the historic feat she had achieved for the Proteas.
Her stunning 169 in the 2025 now stands as the highest individual score by a South African in World Cup history, surpassing the iconic centuries of Marizanne Kapp, Linda Olivier, and Tazmin Brits from previous tournaments.
Highest scores for South Africa in World Cups
169 - Laura Wolvaardt vs ENG-W, 2025 SF
102* - Marizanne Kapp vs PAK-W, 2013
101* - Linda Olivier vs IRE-W, 2000
101 - Tazmin Brits vs NZ-W, 2025
Meanwhile, she missed out on Harmanpreet's record of most runs in a knockout WC clash.
Highest individual scores in World Cup knockouts
171* - Harmanpreet Kaur vs AUS-W, 2017 SF
170 - Alyssa Healy vs ENG-W, 2022 Final
169 - Laura Wolvaardt vs ENG-W, 2025 SF*
148* - Nat Sciver-Brunt vs AUS-W, 2022 Final
Wolvaardt etched her name in history as the first-ever captain to score a century in a women’s ODI World Cup knockout match.
She also achieved another historic milestone, becoming the first South African woman to cross 5000 runs in ODIs — reaching the mark as the second-fastest ever, behind India’s Smriti Mandhana.
Her four sixes in the semifinal are the second-most ever hit in a Women’s WC knockout clash, trailing only Harmanpreet Kaur’s iconic seven maximums against Australia in the 2017 semifinal.
Meanwhile, a 72-run stand between Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp (42 off 33) followed before Ecclestone broke a threatening partnership once again. At 202 for six, South Africa seemed to be heading for a below-par total, but Wolvaardt took her sublime game to the next level to fire her team past the 300-run mark.
In the early part of her knock, she dominated with elegant off-side drives, later shifting gears to punish both pacers and spinners through the midwicket region. Her commanding innings featured 17 boundaries and three towering sixes, helping South Africa wrest back control.
Wolvaardt, who has 184 as her highest ODI score, took left-arm spinner Linsey Smith to the cleaners in the 47th over yielding 20 runs. Batting with a widish stance, Wolvaardt was quick to dispatch balls on the leg-side.
She was dismissed on the last ball of the 48th over by Lauren Bell went for a big shot but was caught by Alice Capsey.
South Africa stormed into their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup final with a commanding 125-run win over England in the semifinal on Wednesday. Captain Laura Wolvaardt produced a sensational 169 off 143 balls to power her side to 319/7, overcoming two mini collapses triggered by Sophie Ecclestone (4/44).
Marizanne Kapp then delivered a stunning spell, taking five wickets to dismantle England for 194 in 42.3 overs. Kapp struck early, removing Amy Jones and Heather Knight, before returning to dismiss Nat Sciver-Brunt (64) and end England’s resistance.
“It still feels unreal,” says Wolvaardt after match-winning knock
Reflecting on her monumental innings, Wolvaardt said the moment was straight out of her childhood dreams.
“It still feels a bit unreal. It’s the sort of thing you dream about as a kid — scoring a hundred in a World Cup knockout game. It’s a very special day, and I’m so glad we won in the end. We knew the start would be crucial,” she said at the post-match presentation.
The skipper also expressed how much the victory meant to the team after suffering heartbreaking semi-final defeats to England in the past.
“Everyone is really excited. Having lost to this opposition in two previous editions, it really hurt the group. So I’m really pleased we got the win tonight,” she added.
Wolvaardt credited her opening partner Tazmin Brits (45) for setting the tone with a 116-run stand that laid the foundation for South Africa’s big total.
“Taz and I have been strong at the top, and it’s great we could get that partnership going again. It was a decent wicket, so we just wanted to keep building. Once we reached the 40th over, I knew our middle order could accelerate. I thought, while I’m there, I might as well swing — so I’m happy a few of those leg-side hits came off,” she laughed.
While her personal best in ODIs remains 184, Wolvaardt had no hesitation in calling this her most significant innings yet.
“Probably has to be at the top. Considering the context — a World Cup semi-final, against a strong team and bowling attack — I think it’s right up there,” she said proudly.
