ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 · Semi-Final 2 — Result
England vs South Africa
England won by 40 runs (ENG 169/5, SA 129/8) to reach the Lord's Final.
Date & Time
Thu 2 Jul · 18:30 BST
Venue
The Kia Oval, London
Stage
Women's T20 WC Semi-Final
Match Details
Group 2 Winners
🏴 England
Captain: Nat Sciver-Brunt
vs
Thu 2 Jul · 18:30 BST
The Kia Oval, London
Group 1 Runners-up
🇿🇦 South Africa
Captain: Laura Wolvaardt
Road to the Semi-Final
England — Unbeaten Group Winners
England have been the form team of this World Cup — unbeaten through the group stage with the highest NRR of any side in the tournament. Playing on home soil, they have received passionate support at every venue from Edgbaston to The Oval and have not needed a final-over finish to win any of their matches.
Nat Sciver-Brunt has been the batter of the tournament. More importantly, England's bowling depth has been their defining feature: Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Bell, and Freya Kemp have each taken wickets at under 22. England can take wickets four different ways — that variety will be tested against South Africa's experienced batting lineup anchored by Laura Wolvaardt.
South Africa — The 2024 Runners-Up
South Africa arrive at the semi-final with the weight of recent near-miss history. They reached the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup final before losing to New Zealand. That defeat is the motivation driving this squad — they know the final is within reach, having been within 32 runs of it eighteen months ago.
Marizanne Kapp's group-stage contribution — 81*(45) and 2/27 against India — was one of the tournament's stand-out individual performances. Laura Wolvaardt at the top of the order gives South Africa an opener capable of absorbing pressure from Ecclestone's early spin. Against England's varied attack, SA's experience in knockout cricket will matter.
Key Players to Watch
England
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Captain / All-rounder
The batter of the tournament. Combines clinical batting with her medium-pace bowling in a package that gives England options at every phase of the match.
Sophie Ecclestone
Left-arm spinner
England's premier spinner and regularly ranked among the best in the world at T20I level. Will probe South Africa's middle order from the first over she bowls.
Freya Kemp
Bowling all-rounder
The deceptively dangerous fourth bowling option who has taken wickets at under 22 alongside Cross, Bell and Ecclestone. Provides England with depth that most opponents cannot match.
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt
Captain / Opening Batter
One of the world's top-ranked Women's T20I openers. Wolvaardt's ability to absorb pressure and build an innings at the top of the order is central to SA's batting. If she gets in, South Africa can chase anything.
Marizanne Kapp
Pace bowling all-rounder
The player who made the tournament take notice of South Africa: 81*(45) plus 2/27 against India. Kapp is effective with both the new ball and the bat — a match-winner who can change a game in either direction.
Sune Luus
Off-spin all-rounder
South Africa's most experienced all-rounder. Luus provides off-spin that can neutralise England's left-handers and contributes crucial runs in the middle order. Her tournament experience and composure will be tested by England's home-crowd atmosphere.
Match Preview
This is England's biggest match in women's cricket since the 2017 50-over World Cup final at Lord's. England are at home, unbeaten, and playing in front of crowds that have followed them across every venue in this tournament. They have the bowling depth to trouble any batting lineup. Sophie Ecclestone will probe South Africa's middle order from ball one.
South Africa will not be accommodating. After narrowly missing the 2024 title — losing the final to New Zealand by just 32 runs — Laura Wolvaardt's side have unfinished business. They have performed well in knockout situations before and they know that the margin between a semi-final exit and a World Cup title can be minimal.
The key battle is Ecclestone vs Wolvaardt. England's left-arm spin from round the wicket to a right-handed opener is the delivery Wolvaardt will have prepared for. If England can take her wicket in the powerplay, their varied attack is well-positioned to exploit the middle order. If Wolvaardt gets to 40 or 50, South Africa can set or chase any target from a reasonable platform.
The winner meets the victor of Semi-Final 1 (Australia vs New Zealand, 30 June at The Oval) in the final at Lord's Cricket Ground on Sunday 5 July 2026.
ENG vs SA — Frequently Asked Questions
When is the England vs South Africa Women's T20 WC 2026 semi-final?
Semi-Final 2 is on Thursday 2 July 2026 at The Kia Oval, Kennington, London. Start time is 18:30 BST (17:30 UTC / 22:00 SAST / 04:30 AEST on 3 July).
Where is the Women's T20 WC 2026 Semi-Final 2 being played?
The match is at The Kia Oval in Kennington, London — the same venue as Semi-Final 1. The Oval is home to Surrey County Cricket Club. Both semi-finals are played at The Oval before the final moves to Lord's on 5 July.
Who is the England Women T20 WC 2026 captain?
Nat Sciver-Brunt captains England Women at the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with Charlie Dean as vice-captain. Sciver-Brunt is one of England's most experienced international players, combining dangerous batting with accurate medium-pace bowling.
Who is the South Africa Women T20 WC 2026 captain?
Laura Wolvaardt captains South Africa Women (Proteas Women) at the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Wolvaardt is one of the world's top-ranked Women's T20I batters and a key figure in South Africa's most successful era in the format.
How did South Africa qualify for the semi-finals?
South Africa qualified as Group 1 runners-up. They produced one of the tournament's defining performances in the group stage — Marizanne Kapp's 81*(45) plus 2/27 with the ball in the win over India. South Africa's consistent group-stage form secured their place in the final four.
Will England's home advantage matter in the semi-final?
England have been the standout team of the tournament — unbeaten group winners with the highest NRR of any side. Home support, familiarity with English conditions, and that unbeaten form all favour England. But South Africa reached the 2024 final and know how to perform in knockout cricket against elite opposition.