England and history stand in South Africa's path to maiden final

Rewind to February 2023. South Africa were up against it when they were scheduled to take on England in the T20 World Cup semifinal. Until that day, they had never reached a final of the World Cup. Fast forward to October 2025 and the South Africans have now been to two finals. They did eventually beat England in that home semifinal in 2023 before toppling the mighty Australians in the semifinal last year. They went on to lose both the finals but the fact that they got that far was certainly a step in the right direction.

On Wednesday (October 29), they will be eyeing their third straight final in a World Cup, albeit their first one in the ODI format. And yet again, like it was the case in 2023, it's the mighty England who stand in their path. It's the same team that absolutely mauled them in their first game of the tournament. And quite ironically, this rematch will also be held at the same venue. South Africa certainly have to battle many demons in this clash to take one step closer to the title.

Even though they did win five successive games in the tournament, their batting performances against England and Australia either side of those wins highlighted the need to step up against top-tier opposition in the ODI format despite their recent success in T20Is. England literally took just a little over 20 overs to bowl them out for 69 and Australia shot them out for 97. The pressure will firmly be on their batters now to ensure they don't fold in meek fashion for a third time with so much on the line.

If South Africa can look back at history for some inspiration, England can do the same given they beat the same team at the same stage in the last two 50-over World Cup editions - in 2017 and 2022. While they have been stretched by different teams in different scenarios this edition, England still lost only one game so far - to arch-rivals Australia. England have been to the finals six times so far, unlike their opponents and they will bank on that experience as well to come out on top in a big clash. If games are indeed won on paper, they will fancy another crack at Australia in the title clash to deny them an eighth title and close the gap in their storied rivalry, having won the trophy four times themselves. But for now, it is indeed one step at a time.

When: Wednesday, October 29 at 3 PM IST

Where: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

What to expect: In the four games played here so far, run-scoring hasn't been the easiest. India did post 269 in one game but other matches have witnessed low totals with spinners predominantly dominating proceedings. Thankfully, rain is not on the horizon.

Team News

England:England are not expected to make any changes to their settled XI, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge likely to retain her spot ahead of Emma Lamb. However, there are some concerns surrounding the availability of Sophie Ecclestone. Amy Jones did reveal that Ecclestone 'should be okay' for the contest though.

Probable XI: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

South Africa:The South Africans might bring back Nondumiso Shangase into the XI in place of the veteran Ayabonga Khakha.

Probable XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Did you know:

- Tazmin Brits has four hundreds and an unbeaten 55 in her last 10 outings. In the five other knocks, she has failed to get to double figures, including three ducks.

- Marizane Kapp is four wickets away from equalling Jhulan Goswami for the most wickets in World Cups.

What they said:

"We've had some success in ICC tournaments. Obviously, a totally different format, but that semi-final loss against England was four years ago. We're a totally different-looking side. They've got a lot of different players as well. So I think it's sort of a fresh opportunity, and it starts from zero." - South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt on her side's chances

"I think it's suits our bowlers really well. Obviously we've got some of the best spinners and that wicket was really conducive to that. So, I'm excited to keep to our spinners on that wicket." - England wicketkeeper Amy Jones on the surface