Follow UsShockingly enough, prior to October 29 (Wednesday), Laura Wolvaardt hadn’t hit a century in the entirety of her ODI World Cup career. But it changed on the biggest stage possible, as the South African captain smashed a stroke-filled century in the first semi-final of the 2025 World Cup against England.
After being put into bat first, Wolvaardt ensured that South Africa got off to the best start possible, as the right-hander took the attack against left-arm spinner Linsey Smith. Wolvaardt kept the attack going throughout the powerplay, extending her great run in the tournament.
Despite wickets falling relatively easily at the other end, Wolvaardt ensured that there was a lot of attack from her end, as she played an effective yet classical brand of cricket. The South African skipper took on favourable match-ups, including attacking the likes of Charlie Dean and Alice Capsey.
In particular, after a 116-run stand at the top, Wolvaardt also built a crucial 72-run partnership with veteran batter Marizanne Kapp. However, after Kapp’s dismissal, the 26-year-old took the responsibility upon herself, with her first-ever ton in the Women’s ODI World Cup.
Wolvaardt’s century was also the first World Cup ton by a captain in the knock-out stage, as the 26-year-old entered a rare history book. It also took her century tally to ten, joint fifth-most in Women’s ODI history.
Highest score in tournament knockouts in WODIs
171* - H Kaur vs AUS, Derby, 2017
170 - A Healy vs ENG, Christchurch, 2022
169 - L Wolvaardt vs ENG, Guwahati, 2025
148* - N Sciver-Brunt vs AUS, Christchurch, 2022
Highest score for South Africa in Women's World Cup
169 - L Wolvaardt vs ENG, Guwahati, 2025
102* - M Kapp vs PAK, Cuttack, 2013
101* - L Olivier vs NZ, Christchurch, 2000
101 - T Brits vs NZ, Indore, 2025
Highest total in tournament knockouts in WODIs
356/5 - AUS vs ENG, Christchurch, 2022
342/7 - IND vs SL, Colombo, 2025
319/7 - SA vs ENG, Guwahati, 2025*
305/3 - AUS vs WI, Wellington, 2022