SA Overcome ‘Batter Error’ Collapse Thanks to Wolvaardt’s Heroics

South Africa overcame a costly mid-innings collapse, which was “all of it down to batter error,” thanks to the individual heroics of their captain, Laura Wolvaardt. Her 169 steered them to a 125-run victory over England and a place in their first-ever 50-over final.
The Proteas were cruising at 116 for none before Sophie Ecclestone struck. Tazmin Brits “nutmegged herself” and was bowled, while Anneke Bosch was bowled for a duck. When Suné Luus “swung wildly” and played on, SA had lost three for three in 20 balls.
This wobble, which left them at 202 for six, could have been fatal. But Wolvaardt, who had just reached her century, put the team on her back.
She launched an incredible 28-ball, 69-run assault, rendering the earlier errors irrelevant as the total soared to 319 for seven.
Marizanne Kapp (five for 20) then ensured England’s chase never started, reducing them to one for three. Wolvaardt’s resilience had turned a potential choke into a historic triumph.