Dream come true as Wolvaardt reflects on match-winning knock
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt suggested the Proteas' win over England was the best moment of her career to date.
Jubilant South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt has admitted her record-breaking century in the knockout semi-final against England at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup is the highlight of her career thus far.
Wolvaardt was in a dominant mood as she became the first captain to score a century in a knockout Women's World Cup contest when compiling a match-winning innings of 169 from just 143 deliveries that helped the Proteas earn a place in the tournament decider for the very first time.
Dominant South Africa punch ticket to the Final | Match Highlights | CWC25
South Africa deliver a comprehensive display to seal their first-ever ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Final spot.
The Proteas' inaugural trip to the final comes on the back of consecutive appearances in the last two ICC Women's T20 World Cup deciders and Wolvaardt revealed the latest feat tops everything both she and the side have achieved in recent time.
"It stills feels a bit unreal,” Wolvaardt said after the match.
“This is something you dream about as a kid, getting a century in a World Cup. It is a very special day and I am so glad we won in the end.
"We knew the start would be crucial. Tazmin Brits and I have been strong at the top of the order and that feeds into the rest of the order. We knew it was a decent wicket and it was great we got to a big score on a flat pitch.
"I went with the momentum. I know I have the shots in me but I wanted to get to the 40th over to make way for the other girls to whack it. I was happy to get a few leg-side boundaries - I could have gone for that earlier.
"This has to be at the top of my career. To win this against such strong bowling side, this is right up there."
Laura Wolvaardt's prolific display | Aramco POTM Highlights | CWC25
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt put in a captain's performance to guide South Africa to a memorable win in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final.
Wolvaardt's exploits with the bat were well supported with the ball, as star all-rounder Marianne Kapp collected a five-wicket haul and became the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Women's World Cup in the process.
Kapp picked up the key wickets of Amy Jones and Heather Knight inside her first over and added the scalps of England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean to overtake India legend Jhulan Goswami with the most wickets in the history of the tournament.
“Kappie was phenomenal," Wolvaardt said.
"Amazing to see her bowling like that. What she offers with the bat, she is like a two-in-one player and that is amazing.”
Marizanne Kapp's stunning all-round performance | Player Highlights | CWC25
South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp lead from the front with the ball taking five wickets to become the most prolific bowler in Women's Cricket World Cup history.
Kapp entered the semi-final with just seven wickets for the tournament and the evergreen 35-year-old knew it was her time to step and make a strong contribution.
"To be honest, I probably haven't had the best World Cup personally," Kapp noted.
"Coming into this game, I knew I was due a good performance.
"I feel like the past semi-finals I probably haven't been at my best and have not contributed the way I should have.
"So, I'm really happy that tonight I could make a difference in the result."
Kapp thrilled by five-wicket haul | Post-Match Press Conference | CWC25
South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was ecstatic after her five-wicket haul led the Proteas into the final of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
Kapp said the team was determined to break their duck and claim a first World Cup title and the focus would quickly turn to the tournament decider on Sunday.
"I am very proud of the girls and the way we've been performing over the last couple of years," Kapp added.
"Not a lot of people gave us or believed in us and look, the job is still not done, but we'll enjoy tonight."
