South Africa’s veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp creates history, surpassing Jhulan Goswami to become the all-time leading wicket-taker in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
In a moment of history that will echo through generations of South African cricket, 35-year-old Marizanne Kapp etched her name in golden letters by surpassing India’s Jhulan Goswami to become the all-time leading wicket-taker in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup history.
The landmark achievement came in the 1st semi-final of the ongoing 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, when Kapp dismissed Charlie Dean for a duck in her seventh over at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. With that wicket, she claimed her 44th scalp in World Cups, overtaking Goswami’s tally of 43. It was a fitting milestone for one of South Africa’s most decorated cricketers, who combined skill, grit, and relentless consistency across multiple editions of the tournament.
Kapp’s all-round brilliance propelled South Africa to a historic 125-run victory over England, earning them their maiden appearance in an ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final, a feat even their men’s counterparts are yet to achieve in ODI history. Her spell of 7-3-20-5 not only dismantled England’s top-order but also set a new benchmark, the best-ever figures by a South African bowler in Women’s World Cup history.
With this performance, Kapp joined the elite list of bowlers with multiple five-wicket hauls in Women’s World Cups, alongside Lyn Fullstone and Anya Shrubsole. Having made her ODI World Cup debut back on 10 March 2009 against Australia, which was also her international debut, she has now logged 44 wickets in 30 matches at an average of 20.81 and an economy rate of 4.39, including two fifers and a four-wicket haul across 28 bowling innings.
South Africa’s campaign has been a story of resilience and resurgence. After suffering a 10-wicket defeat to England in their tournament opener on 3 October, Laura Wolvaardt’s side regrouped spectacularly, stringing together five consecutive wins against New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, before finishing third on the table with 10 points from seven games. Their only other defeat came against Australia in the final league fixture when they were bowled out for just 97 runs in Indore.
Carrying the lessons of those early stumbles, South Africa’s 1st semi-final victory was a statement of intent and redemption. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s record-breaking 169 off 143 balls, the second-highest individual score in a World Cup semi-final, provided the platform for their highest-ever semi-final total of 319/7. Supported by cameos from Marizanne Kapp (42 off 33 balls) and Chloe Tryon (33* off 26 balls), the Proteas put up a commanding display with the bat.
England’s attempt to chase was wrecked early when Kapp struck twice in her first over, dismissing Amy Jones and Heather Knight for ducks, leaving England reeling. Though Nat Sciver-Brunt’s gritty 64 and Alice Capsey’s resolute 50 steadied the innings briefly, Kapp’s return spell broke the backbone of the run chase, eventually bundling England for 194 in 42.3 overs.
Hosted across India and Sri Lanka, the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 has seen frustrating and thrilling rain-affected contests, high-scoring duels, and individual spectacles that will define a new era of women’s cricket. South Africa’s qualification to the final marks a turning point for the nation’s cricketing narrative, an emotional milestone for a team that has repeatedly stumbled at the semi-final hurdle in 2000, 2017, and 2022.
For Kapp, the achievement adds yet another layer to her illustrious career, one that has already seen her amass 181 ODI wickets at an average of 23.91 and an economy of 3.82 in 161 matches.
Now, as South Africa await the winner of the second semi-final between India and Australia at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Proteas find themselves on the brink of cricketing immortality. Whether they lift the coveted trophy or not on 2 November at the same venue, Marizanne Kapp’s name will forever symbolise the rise of South Africa’s golden generation, one built on dedication, persistence, and the unwavering belief that history can, indeed, be rewritten.
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