Guwahati, Oct 28 (UNI) The caravans of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 have rolled into their final halt before the summit: the semifinals. Four sides remain, but only two will earn the right to stride into the grand finale. And in the first of those decisive battles, England and South Africa will walk into the Barsapara Stadium here tomorrow, not merely to play a match, but to defend legacies, pride, and months of sweat.
England, polished and precise like a Rolls-Royce engine, have stormed into this clash with five wins and just a lone misstep in the league stage. Their net run rate of 1.233 reflects a side that not only wins, but dominates. South Africa, resilient as ever, squeezed into third with three wins, two losses, and a net run rate that limped into the negative at -0.379. But numbers rarely tell the full tale of a Proteas outfit known to dig claws in when most expect them to fold.
The last time these two crossed paths in the league stage, England dictated proceedings – leaving South Africa to lick wounds and rework plans. Tomorrow is their chance at revenge.
England’s charge has been steered by the calm but ruthless Heather Knight, who has amassed 288 runs in seven matches at an average flirting near sixty. Beside her, Amy Jones has been punching above expectations- 220 runs, poise under fire, and a strike rate that keeps bowlers awake at night.
Then there’s the English spin cartel. Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith – 12 wickets apiece- have turned the middle overs into a minefield, picking apart batting orders with a surgeon’s precision.
But South Africa have their own warrior queen.
Laura Wolvaardt- elegance stitched with steel- stands tall as the tournament’s third-highest scorer: 301 runs, an average of 50.16, and the heartbeat of an entire campaign. When she bats, a nation exhales only when the ball stops rolling. Nadine de Klerk has been the surprise ember in the middle order, striking above 130, snatching matches from the brink with fearless strokeplay.
Add Nonkululeko Mlaba’s left-arm spin- 11 wickets and counting- and suddenly the contest feels tighter than the points table suggests.
This semifinal, then, is not the classic clash of favourites versus underdogs. It is a tale of two teams balancing nerves and ambition, haunted by past heartbreaks and driven by a single dream – to stand under the confetti on Sunday night.
If England represent the establishment, South Africa carry the daring revolution. If one seeks a return to glory, the other is chasing its first brush with the promised land.
Tomorrow at Barsapara, only one truth will matter: cricket rewards courage. And courage, both sides have in overflowing measure.
Full Squads
England Women Squad: Amy Jones(w), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Emma Lamb, Sarah Glenn, Em Arlott, Lauren Filer.
South Africa Women Squad: Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Anneke Bosch, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Karabo Meso.
