England leave South Africa with uncomfortable questions

England powered to a 40-run victory in the T20 World Cup semifinal at the Oval, reaching Sunday's final against Australia at Lord's. Nat Sciver-Brunt led the charge as England, unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeated a South African side that had reached the last three women's World Cup finals.

South Africa were in control after reducing England to 23/3 inside the first 20 deliveries, with leading tournament batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge dismissed. But Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight responded with a 133-run stand off 90 balls, taking the attack to the bowlers with breathtaking aggression.

Key issues for South Africa:

• Marizanne Kapp was bowled out after seven overs, and Shabnim Ismail didn't bowl her last over between the sixth and 16th overs
• Laura Wolvaardt went through a World Cup without scoring a fifty for only the second time in eight global tournaments
• Tazmin Brits laboured to 51 off 45; no other batter passed 17

Coach Mandla Mashimbyi will face questions about why he kept faith with underperforming established players while talents like Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune and Karabo Meso remained largely unused. Reyneke played twice, scoring nought and two. Sune Luus was brought back for the semifinal having made just one and five in her other innings.

This marks the first time in four women's World Cups across both formats that South Africa will not feature in the final—a significant backward step after reaching three consecutive deciders from February 2023.