Proteas versus Powerhouses: Can World Cup hosts stop rampant England?
Sizzling England and South Africa semi-final clash awaits | #TurnItUp - Semi-Final 2 | Women's T20WC 2023
ICC Digital Insider Alex Jordan joins Ebony Rainford-Brent and Natalie Germanos on the latest episode of Turn It Up to look at the England and South Africa semi-final at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023
England have won four from four at the tournament so far, hitting by far the biggest team score in their record 213 against Pakistan last time out, and finishing with the group stage's highest net run rate (+2.860).
But such aggression and attacking intent offers opportunities, and South Africa will be relishing the opportunity to stop England in their tracks after the Proteas pulled off a great escape to reach the semis.
Familiar foes England and South Africa set for another classic | Match Preview | Women's T20WC 2023
England and South Africa have crossed paths at the pointy end of several tournaments and will now battle it out for a spot in the Final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023
The two teams in Friday’s second semi-final reached the knockout stage in contrasting fashion, with England winning all four of their group matches and hosts South Africa progressing despite defeats to Sri Lanka and potential final opponents Australia.
South Africa started off their home World Cup in disappointing fashion, suffering a surprise defeat to the Lankans.
The Iconic Selection: Sophie Ecclestone | Jacob's Creek
But the Proteas bounced back with a crucial and sizeable win over New Zealand to give themselves hope of qualifying against the odds.
It was perhaps fortuitous that only four points were required to qualify from Group 1 given teams taking points off each other, but the margin of victory over the White Ferns ensured that South Africa qualified with their final win of the group stage over Bangladesh.
Victory over India was key to making things so comfortable for England, who ended the group stage with the highest NRR of all ten teams involved.
England - Nat Sciver-Brunt
England’s middle-order powerhouse is the top scorer at the tournament so far and looks in phenomenal form.
An incredible record win for England | Digital Daily: Episode 19 | Women's T20WC 2023
ICC Digital Insider Xoli Zondo is joined by Ebony Rainford-Brent on the Digital Daily as they discuss England’s massive win over Pakistan at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
She opened up with a classy 40* in the win over West Indies, hit a half-century in the victory over India, and finished off the group stage with her best of the lot, scoring 81* from just 40 balls to power England to a mammoth total against Pakistan.
She’s been a handy extra option with the ball too.
England - Sophie Ecclestone
The world’s top-ranked T20I bowler has been at her bedevilling best with the ball at the World Cup so far, taking eight wickets and proving extremely hard to score runs against.
'I excel in these competitions': England spinner embracing expectations | Women's T20WC 2023
Sophie Ecclestone reveals that even the No.1 bowler in the ICC Women's T20I Bowling Rankings needs to be enjoying cricket to play well at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
As the leader of England’s three-pronged spin attack, Ecclestone will be a massive part of her team’s strategy with the ball.
South Africa - Laura Wolvaardt
The quality of South Africa’s opening batter is no secret, and England will be extremely wary of the 23-year-old’s ability to take the game away from them.
Laura Wolvaardt on route to semi-final and familiar foes England | Women's T20WC 2023
South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt talks to ICC Digital Insider Xoli Zondo about chasing tricky targets and a semi-final against England at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
She struck form at the end of the group stage, hitting a brilliant 66* to lead her team home against Bangladesh.
South Africa - Marizanne Kapp
South Africa have class with the ball, with Kapp, Shabnim Ismail and Nonkululueko Mlaba all likely to be a threat.
'She's an incredible bowler': Marizanne Kapp still the main danger in South Africa attack | Women's T20WC 2023
All-rounder Marizanne Kapp remains the biggest threat in the South Africa strike force as they make a late charge on home soil toward the semi-finals at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Kapp is the team’s leading wicket-taker at the tournament so far and brings such a presence to the field.
She will need to be at the top of her all-round game against in-form England.
Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful venues in the world, being overlooked by Table Mountain and Devil's Peak.
The gorgeous Newlands Cricket Ground | Women's T20WC 2023
Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, South Africa will be one of the premier venues and host of the two semi-finals and Final at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
It is a regular venue for Test matches, ODIs and T20Is, while also being the home of the Cape Cobras which play in the Sunfoil Series, Momentum 1 Day Cup and RamSlam Pro20 competitions.
The pitch conditions have been quite favourable for spinner so far at this tournament, but England showed that there are plenty of runs on offer on the Newlands surface when they smashed 213/5 at the ground against Pakistan just a couple of days ago – the highest ever score at a Women’s T20 World Cup.
'Newlands has been amazing': Fans and South Africa celebrate semi-final progress | Women's T20WC 2023
The stands at Newlands, Cape Town were on song as South Africa and their fans celebrated sealing a spot in the semi-finals at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Australia triumphed over India in a fascinating first semi-final on Thursday, holding on to win by five runs after posting a large but not unbeatable first-innings score of 172/4.
Ash Gardner was Player of the Match for a superb all-round display. Her fiery lower-order knock helped boost the target, her brilliance in the field played a part in a crucial run-out, and she picked up two wickets with the ball – including opener Smriti Mandhana.
Ash Gardner stars against India and earns POTM nod | Women's T20WC 2023
Ashleigh Gardner delivered both with the bat and ball when Australia needed it most in the semi-final against India and was Player of the Match at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Australia are targeting a sixth Women’s T20 World Cup title, but showed some signs of weakness against India.
And the Aussies were on the right side of a fortunate incident when India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was run out in bizarre fashion just when she looked set to take her team to a winning position.
Neither South Africa nor England have a particularly strong recent record against Australia in this format, with the Proteas slipping to a six-wicket defeat to the world’s top-ranked side during the group stage.