Trisha Ghosal, London
England head into the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a flawless record, having won all five of their group-stage matches. Playing at home, they have once again established themselves as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
South Africa, meanwhile, finished second in Group A after winning four of their five matches, with their only defeat coming against Australia. Although they have reached the finals of the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, the Proteas are yet to hit top gear in this tournament.
England also boast an enviable record whenever they host an ICC Women’s World Cup. They have gone on to win every edition staged in England, regardless of the format, and will be hoping history repeats itself once again.
Yet standing in their way is a South African side that has become something of a knockout nemesis. The Proteas have eliminated England in each of their last two World Cup semi-final meetings, making this encounter as much about redemption as it is about reaching another final.
Head-to-head
Overall
- Matches played: 28
- England won: 23
- South Africa won: 4
- No result: 1
In Women’s T20 World Cups
- Matches played: 6
- England won: 4
- South Africa won: 2
While England have comfortably dominated the overall rivalry, South Africa’s recent World Cup record against them tells a different story. The Proteas have won two of the last three Women’s T20 World Cup meetings between the sides, including the 2023 semi-final.
Players to watch
England – Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie Ecclestone has once again underlined why she remains one of the finest white-ball bowlers in the world. The left-arm spinner has claimed eight wickets in five matches at an outstanding economy rate of 5.90, making her the fifth-highest wicket-taker and one of the most economical bowlers in the tournament.
Her numbers against South Africa in ICC events are even more remarkable. In Women’s T20 World Cups, she has taken seven wickets in four innings at an economy rate of 4.93. In Women’s ODI World Cups, she has claimed 13 wickets in four innings at an economy of just 3.58, including one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul.
The last two World Cup knockout matches between England and South Africa came in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup and the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Across those two games alone, Ecclestone collected seven wickets, proving once again that she thrives on the biggest stage.
South Africa – Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt has not enjoyed the tournament she would have hoped for, scoring 117 runs in five innings at an average of 23.40. Ahead of the semi-final, the South African captain admitted during the pre-match press conference that she had been disappointed with her performances.
“I’m probably a bit annoyed with my tournament because I felt like I was in pretty good form coming into the competition and then had a couple of frustrating knocks. I just need to maybe have a think over the next 24 hours about what went well for me back then. Obviously, it’s so recent, it’s not like my batting has changed. It’s probably just a bit of a mindset thing.”
Although Wolvaardt’s record against England is stronger in ODI World Cups than in T20 World Cups, few players have delivered more decisively in recent World Cup knockouts between these two sides. She scored 53 in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final before producing a magnificent 169 in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup knockout. Having looked below her best so far, South Africa will hope their captain saves her finest innings for the biggest occasion.
Pitch and weather
- Average first-innings score: 144/7
- Average second-innings score: 146/2
Only two matches have been played at The Oval during this tournament, and both have been won comfortably by the side batting second.
The surface has offered excellent batting conditions, but spin has also played an important role. In the other semi-final at this venue, Australia’s spinners extracted enough assistance to influence the outcome, suggesting spin could once again prove to be a decisive factor.
Interestingly, only 14 wickets have fallen across the two matches played at The Oval so far — the fewest at any venue in the tournament.
- Pacers: 6 wickets
- Spinners: 8 wickets
The forecast suggests mostly cloudy conditions, with temperatures expected to range between 17°C and 26°C. There is currently no rain forecast, ensuring ideal conditions for a full semi-final.
Probable XIs
England
Amy Jones (wk), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
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