south african captain Laura Wolvaardt has etched her name in the annals of women’s cricket history, breaking the long-standing record for the highest individual score by a Proteas player. ICC Women’s World Cup,
In a breathtaking display of class, composure and power-hitting during the 2025 World Cup semi-final against arch-rivals England, Wolvaardt played the innings of a lifetime – a brilliant 169 off just 143 balls. His heroics led South Africa to a commanding total of 319/7, rewriting the country’s World Cup batting record and giving the Proteas a commanding position in the high-stakes encounter.
Laura Wolvaardt’s historic innings
The right-handed opening batsman was in great form throughout her innings and mixed calculated aggression with brilliant drives. His marathon innings of 169 runs was ruined with the help of 20 fours and 4 skyscraper sixes. marijane kappThe long-term record of 102* was set in 2013.
Wolvaardt’s innings in Guwahati was a masterclass in building innings under pressure. After a quick opening partnership of 116 runs with Tazmin Brits (45), South Africa suffered a brief collapse in the middle overs. But the captain stood tall, building important partnerships – including a crucial 72-run stand with all-rounder Kapp (42) – before hitting a flurry of boundaries late on, leaving 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 record of 5,000 runs in Women’s ODI – a record which is unmatched by any of her compatriots.
Other iconic innings for South Africa in the World Cup
Marizanne Kapp (102 vs Pakistan, 2013): Before Wolvaardt’s brilliant effort, Cap’s unbeaten 102 against Pakistan in Cuttack during the 2013 World Cup was the gold standard of South African batting. His all-round brilliance led the Proteas to a stunning 126-run victory, paving the way for future generations.
Linda Olivier (101 vs Ireland, 2000): South Africa’s first Women’s World Cup century was scored by Ollivier during the 2000 edition in New Zealand. Her unbeaten 101 against Ireland in Lincoln laid the foundation for a comfortable nine-wicket victory and remains one of the leading innings in South African women’s cricket.
Tazmin Britts (101 vs New Zealand, 2025): Britts joined the elite club after scoring 101 against New Zealand earlier in the same tournament. His fluent stroke play led South Africa to a crucial six-wicket win, and his 159-run partnership with Sune Luus was instrumental in the Proteas’ group-stage dominance.
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
