Proteas Women have their eyes on the prize

The Proteas Women are determined to put their best foot forward when they face England in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, as they aim to reach their first-ever final in the 50-over format.

The knockout encounter is set to begin at 3pm local time (11.30am SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Ch. 201).

Addressing the media during the pre-match press conference, captain Laura Wolvaardt outlined the team’s approach to the crucial clash, emphasising the importance of staying focused and trusting their strengths against a familiar rival.

“We've had a great tournament so far. As a group, we're trying to focus on the positives, sticking to our game plans and doing what we do best. If we just keep playing the way that we have, we'll have a really good shot at winning tomorrow.

“We want to win tomorrow and so do they. It's a semi-final, anything can happen, so if we just play our best cricket, it'll be a really good game,” the skipper noted.

Encounters between South Africa and England have become a familiar fixture in ICC tournaments, with the two sides meeting at the semi-final stage of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups in 2017 and 2022, as well as in the historic 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final at Newlands, where the Proteas triumphed to become the first senior South African team to reach a World Cup final.

In the current 50-over campaign, South Africa began their tournament with a heavy 10-wicket defeat to England at the same venue. They then bounced back in outstanding fashion, securing five consecutive victories against New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, before losing to defending champions Australia in a top-of-the-table contest.

Reflecting on the team’s recent experiences in World Cup knockout matches, including back-to-back semi-final wins in the shorter format in 2023 and 2024, Wolvaardt expressed her hope that those moments will help the Proteas Women maintain composure under pressure.

“We've had some success in ICC tournaments. Obviously, a totally different format but that semi-final loss against England was four years ago.

“We're a totally different-looking side. They've got a lot of different players as well. So I think it's sort of a fresh opportunity and it starts from zero.

“I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we're able to learn from those semi-final victories that we've got and maybe stay a bit calmer under pressure.”

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase and Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit

Management

Mandla Mashimbyi (Head Coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (Team Manager), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Baakier Abrahams (Batting Coach), Dillon du Preez (Bowling Coach), Bongani Ndaba (Fielding Coach), Zane Webster (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Abram Ramoadi (Performance Analyst), Neline Hoffman-Kellerman (Physiotherapist), Dr Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (Team Doctor), Happiness Mesi (Logistics and Massage Therapist), Lita Gqirana (Media Manager) and Zahid Shaik (Close Protection Officer).

Fixtures and Results - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati) - England won by 10 wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - SA won by six wickets

Thursday @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo) - SA won by 10 wickets (DLS)

Tuesday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo) - SA won by 150 runs (DLS)

Saturday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - Australia won by seven wickets

Wednesday @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 England v South Africa (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Thursday @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 Australia v India (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday @ 11.30am - Final (TBC)