The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati witnessed a gripping showdown today as England Women took on South Africa Women in the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to bowl first, setting the stage for a nail-biting contest between two powerhouses with contrasting fortunes this tournament.
Table of Contents
Women’s World Cup Match Overview: England vs South Africa Semi-Final
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Type | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 – 1st Semi-Final |
| Date | October 29, 2025 (Wednesday) |
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| Start Time | 3:00 PM IST / 9:30 AM UK Time |
| Toss Winner | England (chose to bowl first) |
| Head-to-Head (ODIs) | England 36 wins, South Africa 10 wins (47 matches) |
| England’s Group Stage | 5 wins, 1 loss, 1 no result (2nd place) |
| South Africa’s Group Stage | 5 wins, 2 losses (3rd place) |
| Previous Meeting | England won by 10 wickets (SA bowled out for 69) |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar, Star Sports Network |
Tale of Two Journeys: Contrasting Campaigns
England’s campaign began with a bang—skittling South Africa out for 69 and sealing a 10-wicket victory. It was a humiliating defeat that could have destroyed South African morale, but instead became the catalyst for their remarkable resurgence.
Under Laura Wolvaardt’s leadership, South Africa bounced back with five consecutive victories, showcasing incredible resilience. However, their final group match against Australia exposed vulnerabilities, particularly against spin bowling, with leg-spinner Alana King registering 7/18, which became the best-ever figures by a bowler in Women’s World Cup history.
England’s Spin Weapons Ready to Strike
England’s crafty left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has been their quiet assassin with the ball, with figures including 3/7 vs South Africa, 2/33 vs Bangladesh, and 3/30 vs New Zealand. Alongside Sophie Ecclestone, who has taken 12 wickets averaging just 15.3, England’s spin duo poses South Africa’s biggest challenge.
Key Players to Watch
For England:
- Heather Knight: With 4,325 runs in 156 ODIs, Knight remains the fulcrum of England’s middle order and their emotional anchor in crunch situations
- Nat Sciver-Brunt: The captain led brilliantly with a run-a-ball 117 against Sri Lanka
- Sophie Ecclestone & Linsey Smith: The spin duo has 24 wickets combined this tournament
For South Africa:
- Laura Wolvaardt: The elegant skipper has led from the front
- Tazmin Brits: Crucial opening batter providing stability
- Marizanne Kapp: All-rounder with match-winning capabilities
The Guwahati Factor: Pitch and Conditions
The Barsapara surface offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, with the average first-innings score around 250 and teams typically losing 7 wickets per innings. Early conditions favor pacers with seam movement, but batting becomes easier as the match progresses.
Weather in Guwahati was expected to remain cloudy with temperatures hovering near 31°C and about a 20% chance of light rain, potentially causing brief interruptions.
According to the International Cricket Council, this marks a crucial moment in women’s cricket history, with both teams vying for their chance at glory.
Semi-Final Heartbreak: South Africa’s Jinx
South Africa are still trying to break their semi-final jinx, having been eliminated in each of their past three attempts, with their two previous losses to England in semi-finals occurring in 2017 and 2022. Can the Proteas finally overcome this psychological barrier?
England are aiming to reach their 9th World Cup final, having won 4 World Cups and been runners-up on 4 occasions—a testament to their dominance in women’s cricket.
For more exciting coverage of sports achievements and breakthrough moments, check out TechnoSports’ latest updates on emerging talents across various disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What happened in the previous meeting between England and South Africa at this World Cup?
England completely dominated South Africa in their opening match, bowling them out for just 69 runs and securing a 10-wicket victory. It was a humiliating defeat for the Proteas that served as a wake-up call. However, South Africa demonstrated remarkable resilience by winning their next five consecutive matches, proving they could recover from adversity and compete at the highest level.
Q2: How does England’s head-to-head record against South Africa look in ODI cricket?
In 47 ODIs played between England Women and South Africa Women, England are ahead with 36 wins while South Africa have won 10 matches. England have particularly dominated in knockout situations, having defeated South Africa in both their previous World Cup semi-final meetings in 2017 and 2022. Despite this statistical advantage, knockout cricket often produces unexpected results, and South Africa’s redemption arc this tournament suggests they won’t surrender easily.
