Five top clashes between Proteas women and England ahead of semi-final in Guwahati

In One Day International cricket, England women have an upper hand over South Africa, having won 36 of the 47 encounters between the two teams.  However, South Africa is high in confidence, having had a series of impressive results on the big stage over the past few years.

Independent Newspapers highlight five standout encounters between South Africa and England ahead of their semi-final clash in Guwahati on Wednesday.

Semi-final, Christchurch, 2022
Despite a spirited bowling performance from former Proteas fast bowler Shabnim Ismail when the right-armer returned figures of 3/46 in 10 overs, England women were just too strong on the day, beating South Africa in back-to-back World Cup semi-finals.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge led from the front in that clash, scoring 129, and was supported by left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who took a six-for to help England progress to the final.

Semi-final, Bristol, 2017
A thriller of a match at the County Ground in Bristol, where the then 18-year-old Laura Wolvaardt registered a half-century alongside Mignon du Preez, helping South Africa set 219 to win. England would go on to chase down the target with two balls to spare with South Africa having given a fright of note needing only two wickets to win the match in the last over.

Ayabonga Khaka, 2/28 in 10 overs, and Sune Luus, 2/24 in five overs, would play a key role with the ball.

Group game in Mount Maunganui, 2022
This was a Marizanne Kapp special. The all-rounder returned a five-wicket haul and struck a 42-ball 32, a knock which saw the right-hander smash three fours and a six. Kapp helped South Africa bundle England out for 235/9, and played an important hand in the Proteas chasing the target with four balls to spare. Wolvaardt would once again step up, scoring 77 off 101, in the run chase.

Bilateral series fixture in Kimberly, 2024

South Africa completed a thumping victory at the Diamond Oval in Kimberly, beating England women by six wickets with more than 11 overs to spare. Kapp put on yet another player-of-the-match on that day, claiming a three-for and scoring a run-a-ball 22 as South Africa chased down 187 with relative ease.

Group game in Guwahati, 2025
This is one of South Africa’s heaviest defeats, the 10-wicket loss to England in Guwahati earlier this month. England women’s slow left-arm Orthodox, Linsey Smith, obliterated South Africa, picking up 3/7 in four overs and helped bowl South Africa out for 69.

England women would go on to win that match by 10 wickets, completing a perfect start to their World Cup campaign, while the Proteas women had the worst start.