Summary

  • England reach Sunday's final against Australia at Lord's (15:30 BST) - report

  • England dominate in field with complete bowling display

  • Ecclestone takes two catches, including excellent one to remove Wolvaardt

  • England recover from 23-3 to post 169-5

  • Sciver-Brunt (75) & Knight (58) put on 133 for fourth wicket

Have your say on the Women's T20 World Cup

Live Reporting

by Ffion Wynne & Kal Sajad

  1. Get Involved

    Use the form on this page

    Marc: It’s been a fantastic tournament. England have fielded and bowled superbly after a great effort from their batting superstars to dig themselves out of a very big hole.

  2. SA 79-3

    Target 170

    Dani Gibson of England looks on during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup England & Wales 2026 Semi Final match between England and South AfricaGetty Images

    Dani Gibson's first over concedes 10, and South Africa are in desperate need for a few more of those to keep their final hopes alive.

    Tazmin Brits absolutely nails one through mid-wicket before Sune Luus counteracts with a deft touch, scooping the ball past the keeper for four more.

  3. WinViz is firmly behind England now.

    WinVizCricviz

  4. SA 69-3

    Target 170

    The noise from the crowd at that wicket, by the way.

    Goosebumps.

    Charlie Dean of England celebrates after taking wicket of Marizanne Kapp of South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup England & Wales 2026 Semi Final match between England and South Africa at The OvalGetty Images
  5. wicket

    WICKET

    Kapp c Sciver-Brunt b Dean 5 (SA 68-3)

    Is that the game...?

    Floated up nicely, and Marizanne Kapp tries to flick the ball into the leg side but gets a leading edge, and Nat Sciver-Brunt takes the simplest of catches.

    South Africa's superstar departs.

    : Charlie Dean of England celebrates after taking wicket of Marizanne Kapp of South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup England & Wales 2026 Semi Final match between England and South Africa at The OvalGetty Images

  6. How's stat?!

    Jem Green
    CricViz data analyst

    England will want to see the back of Marizanne Kapp early on in her innings as her ability to shift through the gears can be match-winning, as she has demonstrated on many occasions. Kapp's strike rate in T20Is since 2023 by balls faced:

    1-10 balls = 115

    11-20 balls = 132

    21 -30 balls = 154

    31-40 balls = 196

  7. SA 67-2

    On cue, Tazmin Brits drives Charlie Dean for four through the covers.

  8. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo journalist on Test Match Special

    The rate is already up to 10 an over, and I remember saying you can't chase anything at that rate for 10 overs. This is going to take something special.

    WormCricviz

  9. SA 63-2

    Target 170

    Again, just singles from Freya Kemp's over.

    South Africa can't afford to keep going at this rate. The crowd is lively, and every ball that doesn't go to the boundary is greeted by a roar of delight.

  10. Speaking of England's fielding...

  11. Get Involved

    Use the form on this page

    Adam Roberts: I love what Charlotte Edwards has done with this team. Think she could do wonders with the men's team.

  12. SA 58-2

    Target 170

    More brilliance in the field.

    Tazmin Brits drives sweetly past point, but Linsey Smith chases the ball all the way to the ropes and pulls off a full-stretch dive to haul the ball back inside the ropes.

    Seven off Ecclestone's over, which won't particularly trouble England.

    Linsey Smith dives for the ballGetty Images

  13. SA 51-2

    Target 170

    Cracking opening over from Kemp.

    That wicket brought Marizanne Kapp to the middle, South Africa's beloved big-game player. Has she got another moment of magic in her?

  14. Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo journalist on Test Match Special

    Annerie Dercksen is not one to hang around. She likes to play her shots.

  15. wicket

    WICKET

    Dercksen c Knight b Kemp 3 (SA 49-2)

    Two down!

    Annerie Dercksen has tried to be aggressive from the get-go but it hasn't paid off.

    She takes a wild hack at Freya Kemp, and skews it straight up in the air for Heather Knight to take a simple catch at point.

    Freya Kemp of England celebrates the wicket of Annerie Dercksen of South Africa during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup England & Wales 2026 Semi Final match between England and South Africa at The OvalGetty Images

  16. This is WinViz over time - it's tracking in the right direction for England!

    WinvizCricviz

  17. Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt certainly enjoyed the middle phase of England's innings.

    Heather Knight hits half-century in semi-final against South Africa

  18. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on Test Match Special

    For me, this middle phase of the innings is all about who can hold their nerve.

  19. Jem Green
    CricViz data analyst

    In this World Cup there has been the least amount of swing on offer in the powerplay at The Oval (average: 1.39) compared to all other venues used.

  20. SA 47-1

    Target 170

    Four singles from Sophie Ecclestone's first over.

    South Africa need to choose a bowler to target soon, try and get a big over before the run-rate spirals.

    Could it be one of the all-rounders? Freya Kemp comes into the attack now.