England beat South Africa to reach Women's T20 World Cup final

England beat South Africa to reach Women's T20 World Cup final

England have secured a place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final for the first time in eight years following a 40-run victory over South Africa at The Oval on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The win sets up a clash against Australia at Lord’s this Sunday.

The victory was highlighted by the return of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who had missed the previous three group games due to a calf injury. Sciver-Brunt top-scored with 75 from 47 deliveries, leading a recovery after England collapsed to 23-3 in the fourth over. She shared a 133-run fourth-wicket partnership with Heather Knight, who scored 58 from 47 balls. This stand is a record for a Women's T20 World Cup semi-final.

England's early struggles were sparked by South African opening bowlers Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp. Amy Jones was caught by Annerie Dercksen off Ismail's first delivery, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, the tournament's leading run-scorer, was bowled by Kapp for 12. Alice Capsey also fell early, trapped lbw by Ismail for one run.

Sciver-Brunt and Knight consolidated the innings before accelerating, with Sciver-Brunt hitting three boundaries in a single over from Nadine de Klerk to reach her half-century in 35 balls. Knight reached her fifty in 42 balls, including a six off Ayabonga Khaka. Both batters were eventually dismissed in the penultimate over by Nonkululeko Mlaba, who finished with 2-25. England ended their 20 overs at 169-5.

"I was very nervous going in and quite emotional about it yesterday. The occasion and what we’ve been able to do as a team, I was trying to live up to the three games that I missed and trying to have an impact as a leader and a cricketer,"

Nat Sciver-Brunt, England captain, via Yahoo Sports

South Africa's chase began strongly with an opening stand of 43. However, the momentum shifted when captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 17, was caught by Sophie Ecclestone off Linsey Smith. Annerie Dercksen followed shortly after, caught by Knight off Freya Kemp.

England's fielding, previously cited as a weakness, proved decisive. Ecclestone took another high catch to remove Suné Luus for 11, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge executed a direct hit to run out Sinalo Jafta. Tazmin Brits provided the most resistance with 51 from 44 balls, but she was dismissed on the next delivery, slicing a shot to Sciver-Brunt off Charlie Dean.

The bowling effort was led by Charlie Dean (3-31) and Lauren Bell (2-28), with Ecclestone, Smith, and Kemp taking one wicket each. South Africa were restricted to 129-8 in their 20 overs.

The match was played before a record crowd of 21,128 at The Oval. The win provides revenge for England, who were beaten by South Africa in the semi-finals of both the 2023 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ODI World Cup.

South African coach Mandla Mashimbyi noted the impact of bringing Shabnim Ismail out of retirement to add an X factor to the attack, though he acknowledged the need for better processes to develop future players.

England now move to Lord's for the final. While they have won every women's World Cup played on home soil, they have lost the three previous T20 World Cup finals contested against Australia. England last won the T20 trophy in 2009.

The final takes place this Sunday, with coverage starting at 2.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.