South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt has etched her name into the annals of women’s cricket history, shattering the long-standing record for the highest individual score by a Proteas player in the ICC Women’s World Cup.
In a breathtaking display of class, composure, and power-hitting during the 2025 World Cup semifinal against arch-rivals England, Wolvaardt produced an innings of a lifetime — a magnificent 169 off just 143 balls. Her heroics propelled South Africa to a formidable total of 319/7, rewriting the nation’s World Cup batting records and giving the Proteas a commanding position in the high-stakes clash.
Laura Wolvaardt’s historic knock
The right-handed opener was in imperious touch throughout her innings, blending elegant drives with calculated aggression. Her marathon 169, laced with 20 boundaries and 4 towering sixes, eclipsed Marizanne Kapp’s long-standing record of 102* set back in 2013.
Wolvaardt’s innings in Guwahati was a masterclass in building an innings under pressure. After a brisk 116-run opening partnership with Tazmin Brits (45), South Africa faced a brief collapse in the middle overs. But the skipper stood tall, stitching together crucial partnerships — including a vital 72-run stand with all-rounder Kapp (42) — before launching into a flurry of late boundaries that left the English attack helpless.
The knock was not just about runs; it was about milestones. Wolvaardt became the first South African captain to score a century in a Women’s World Cup knockout match. She also surpassed the 5,000-run landmark in Women’s ODIs — a record unmatched by any of her compatriots.
Other iconic innings for South Africa in World Cups
Marizanne Kapp (102 vs Pakistan, 2013): Before Wolvaardt’s stunning effort, Kapp’s unbeaten 102 against Pakistan in Cuttack during the 2013 World Cup was the gold standard of South African batting. Her all-round brilliance powered the Proteas to a dominant 126-run victory, setting the tone for future generations.
Linda Olivier (101 vs Ireland, 2000): South Africa’s first-ever Women’s World Cup century came from Olivier during the 2000 edition in New Zealand. Her unbeaten 101 against Ireland in Lincoln laid the foundation for a comfortable nine-wicket win and remains one of the pioneering knocks in South African women’s cricket.
Tazmin Brits (101 vs New Zealand, 2025): Brits joined the elite club earlier in the same tournament, hammering 101 against New Zealand. Her fluent stroke play guided South Africa to a crucial six-wicket triumph, and her 159-run partnership with Sune Luus was instrumental in the Proteas’ dominant group-stage run.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
