South Africa stun England to reach Women’s T20 World Cup final

It was meant to be a walkover for England – a suggestion that had riled the South Africa captain Sune Luus on the day before Friday’s semi-final clash between the two sides at Newlands. “Oh, that’s great, there’s no pressure on us then, we can just go out and enjoy it,” she had bristled at one reporter during the eve-of-match press conference.

And enjoy it they did – from the moment Luus won the toss and chose to bat, through a 96-run opening partnership between Tazmin Brits (68) and Laura Wolvaardt, who both struck half-centuries; before a quickfire 27 off 13 from Marizanne Kapp helped South Africa reach the dizzy heights of 164 for four.

And enjoy it they did still more, as England’s “Jonball” tactics finally came to a sticky end, amidst a record-breaking over from Shabnim Ismail – who, according to the TV speed gun, clocked 80mph (the highest speed ever recorded in women’s cricket) – and a series of catches from former junior world javelin champion Tazmin Brits, including a stunner at full stretch at midwicket to see off Alice Capsey.

Finally, after England stumbled to 140 for seven courtesy of an Ayabonga Khaka triple-wicket over, it was left to Ismail to sound the death knell. England needed 13 off the final over; Ismail kept her nerve, and rattled Heather Knight’s stumps in the process.

After a decade of disappointment, and when everyone had already written them off, South Africa had done it: they were into a World Cup final. The Newlands crowd erupted. Maybe they enjoyed it most of all.

For a while, the cricketing gods had shone on England’s chase – they reached 50 without loss within the first five overs, as Danni Wyatt (34 off 30) and Sophia Dunkley (28 off 16) repeatedly cleared the ring fielders by a matter of