Marizanne Kapp etched her name in cricket history, becoming the all-time leading wicket-taker in 50-over World Cups, as she bowled South Africa into their first-ever final with a five-star performance against England. Kapp finished with remarkable figures of five for 20 in the 125-run win.
Kapp set the tone for England’s disastrous chase, starting her spell with a double-wicket maiden. She clean-bowled Amy Jones with a perfect “nip-backer” and then dismissed captain Heather Knight for a duck.
This devastating opening spell left England at one for three, a position from which they never recovered. After a brief 107-run partnership, Kapp returned to the attack.
She clinically dismantled the middle order, dismissing Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, and Charlie Dean, the last two in successive deliveries, just missing a hat-trick.
This bowling masterclass ensured the magnificent batting of her captain, Laura Wolvaardt (169), was not in vain. Wolvaardt’s own historic knock had set the massive 319-run total, but it was Kapp’s record-breaking spell that officially punched their ticket to the final.
