Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Semi-Final 2, ENG W vs SA W Match Prediction

England Women and South Africa Women travel to the south of the River Thames to the iconic Kennington Oval for Semi-Final 2 of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, July 2. The winner of this tie will face the all-conquering Australian side in the final.

The hosts come into the game after going unbeaten in the group. Their most recent win came against New Zealand, where they secured a convincing nine-wicket victory at the same venue, thanks to Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten 89 in the run chase.

South Africa, on the other hand, leapfrogged India on the last day of the group phase to qualify for the semi-finals. Following the loss against the Aussies in their first game, the Proteas have registered four consecutive wins to have a chance of winning their maiden ICC honour.

ENG-W vs SA-W Match Info — ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, 2nd Semi-Final

England Women and South Africa Women meet in the second semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, with a place in the final on the line.

Kennington Oval Pitch Report for ENG-W vs SA-W

ENG-W vs SA-W Head-to-Head Record

England hold a significant overall edge in Women’s T20Is, 18 wins from 26 meetings since 2017, with South Africa winning 8. But the World Cup record between these two sides tells a different story.

South Africa beat England in the 2023 semi-final in Cape Town, posting 164/4 and restricting England to 158/8 through a four-fer from Ayabonga Khaka and three wickets from Shabnim Ismail.</cite> That result ended England’s campaign and sent South Africa to their maiden World Cup final.

The overall 18-8 head-to-head favours England, but South Africa have won the two meetings that mattered most, both in World Cup conditions. Kapp, Ismail, and Khaka all featured in that 2023 semi-final win and are all still in this squad. England know what they are walking into.

ENG W vs SA W: Predicted Playing XIs

England Women (ENG W):

Amy Jones (WK), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Charlie Dean (C), Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

South Africa Women (SA W):

Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

ENG-W vs SA-W Win Probability & Match Odds

This is the strongest match-up of the semi-finals, two teams at the peak of their powers, with contrasting but complementary strengths. England are the tournament’s highest scorers, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge leading the run charts (282 runs in 5 innings at an average of 94) and Sophie Ecclestone anchoring the bowling. The return of Nat Sciver-Brunt, who batted in the nets after her calf MRI showed “good progress”, gives them their best XI for the first time in three matches.

South Africa’s path to this semi-final is built on Kapp’s match-winning heroics and a bowling attack, Ismail, Khaka, Mlaba, Kapp, that has taken wickets in every single game. Their only defeat came against Australia in the opening round. Laura Wolvaardt’s team have won four in five and proved against India that they can chase down anything with the right batter at the crease.

Win probability: England Women 62% — South Africa Women 38%

That 38% is substantial. South Africa beat England in the 2023 semi-final. Kapp has England’s number. And The Oval’s true bounce suits their pace attack at least as much as England’s spin.