South Africa are targeting a third consecutive World Cup final after reaching the finals of the last two T20 World Cups, played in South Africa and the UAE, but they have never made it to the championship match of the 50-over edition. England beat South Africa by ten wickets during their opening game, also played in Guwahati. 

The Proteas are confident they can bounce back, especially after enjoying a very successful tournament since that match.

Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: Cricinfo

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 Women’s Cricket World Cups in 2017 and 2022, as well as in the historic 2023 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.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt said it’s important to focus on the success of their tournament as a whole and not dwell on the defeats to England, as well as Australia, this past Saturday.

“I think we've had a great tournament so far – as a group we're really just trying to focus on the positives, stick to our game plans, and do what we do best,” said Wolvaardt.

“If we just keep playing the way we have, we'll have a really good shot at winning tomorrow. I think we want to win tomorrow. So do they.

“It’s a semi-final; anything can happen. So, I think that if we just play our best cricket, it'll be a really good game of cricket.”

The influential skipper added that while the team did suffer big defeats against England and Australia, it’s important to recognise that they are a quality unit and must back themselves, as they have the ability.

Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: Cricinfo

“We have played some really good cricket throughout the tournament,” said Wolvaardt.

“It’s definitely not a skill issue. So, I think most of our discussions leading up to tomorrow have just been about making sure we're in the right mental state to play the game, really believing in our preparation, and trusting our skills and what we've achieved before.

“We know as a group that we are really talented and that if we just stay calm out there tomorrow, we have a really good chance of winning. I think they’re under a lot of pressure as well. “Everyone is in a semi-final, so yeah, I think it’s whoever can handle that best and just keep focusing on the positives we’ve done right throughout the tournament.”

Play between the Proteas and England in Guwahati is scheduled to get underway at 11:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh