In a display of sheer dominance that shattered decades of heartbreak, South Africa powered into their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final with a resounding 125-run thrashing of defending champions England in the semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a mammoth 320, England crumbled under the relentless Proteas attack, folding for just 194 in 42.3 overs. The victory ends a painful legacy of three previous semi-final heartbreaks for South Africa—at the hands of Australia in 2005 and 2022, and England in 2017—propelling them into Sunday’s showpiece clash against the winner of the Australia-India semi-final.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt was the architect of South Africa’s imposing 319 for seven, crafting a masterful unbeaten 169 off 147 balls—her highest OD

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