All to play for in Christchurch as South Africa, England eye final berth in CWC22 decider
- Match Semi-Final 2: South Africa Women v England Women
- Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Thursday 31 March, 14:00 Local Time
On that occasion it was South Africa that prevailed narrowly by three wickets, as the Proteas successfully chased down England's total of 235/9 with just four balls remaining.
That was England's last loss at the tournament, with Heather Knight's side having more than made up for their poor start to the event by registering three wins on the trot to claim their semi-final berth.
M13 Match Highlights: South Africa v England
South Africa's form has been ultra-consistent, with the Proteas' only blemish coming against Australia in their penultimate match of the group stage.
In-form opener Laura Wolvaardt has been a revelation at the tournament with five half-centuries and she will once again be the key wicket that England will be targeting.
Highlights: Laura Wolvaardt's brilliant half-century
Both teams possess strong bowling line-ups, with South Africa veterans Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp likely to be pivotal in deciding the result and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone similar for England.
These two teams met in the corresponding stage at the previous World Cup in 2017, with England victorious by two wickets in yet another final-over thriller.
Experienced batter Mignon du Preez was part of the South Africa side that day and she is determined to come out victorious this time around.
"We know that England haven't been at their best and we've met them in a World Cup semi-final and we don't have the best memories of that," Du Preez said.
"So we're very keen to change it this time around and try and be the ones that come out on top.
"But that being said, like you mentioned, we can't take them lightly.
"For us the biggest focus has been just to focus on us and doing our basics well and identify the areas where we want to improve rather than focusing too much on the opposition."
THE TEAMS
South Africa Squad: Suné Luus (c), Chloé Tryon (vc), Ayabonga Khaka, Lara Goodall, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Maria Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Tumi Sekhukhune. Travelling reserves: Andrie Steyn, Nadine de Klerk, Raisibe Ntozakhe
England Squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.
KEY PLAYERS
**Marizanne Kapp:**Rated as the third-best all-rounder in the ICC Women's ODI rankings, Kapp is crucial to South Africa’s chances of doing something special in New Zealand. Her 5/45 against England are the standout figures of her tournament so far, but she’s been excellent with the ball throughout and has chipped in well with the bat without yet going especially big.
Highlights: Marizanne Kapp does the damage with five wickets
Tammy Beaumont: The England opener always seems to save herself for the big occasion. Beaumont topped the scoring charts at the 2017 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup with a whopping 410 runs and will be looking to deliver at the business end of the 2022 tournament.
CWC22 DREAM11 FANTASY WATCH
Captaincy Pick – Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt has been arguably the player of the tournament so far at this World Cup. She is closing in on the record for the most runs in a single edition, having notched 433 runs in seven matches with five half-centuries. One of those half-centuries was a fine knock of 77 in their win against England in the league stage. It was her second half-century in a row against the English in WODIs and in total, she has scored five half-centuries in nine games against them.
Must have – Natalie Sciver
Nat Sciver has been the most consistent player for England at this World Cup. She has scored 273 runs in seven matches and is their leading scorer. She is in good form too, having hit the 40-run mark in each of her last three innings and she has also picked up four wickets in this edition.
Fifty: Nat Sciver reaches 50 with fine shot
THE VENUE
This match will be played at the stunning Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The famous grass bowl of a ground will also be the stage for the final itself on Sunday.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The top four teams in the standings have now qualified for the semi-finals, which are being held on Wednesday, 30 March and Thursday, 31 March.
This is the second semi-final, with the winner progressing through to the final on Sunday to face Australia, who beat West Indies in the first semi-final.