England target semi-final breakthrough vs South Africa
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- England face South Africa in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final at The Oval on Thursday (6.30pm start, Sky Sports), having swept all five pool matches against Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, West Indies and New Zealand.
- South Africa have eliminated England from their last two World Cup semi-finals — winning the 2023 T20 World Cup semi in Cape Town by six runs and the 2025 50-over World Cup semi in India by 125 runs, where Laura Wolvaardt scored 169.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt returns from a calf complaint for the semi-final, joining opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge (282 runs, including one century and two half-centuries) and a spin attack led by Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean.
- Amy Jones' form is a concern after managing just 34 runs across her last four innings following an opening 53 against Sri Lanka, with Marizanne Kapp — who took five wickets in last autumn's 50-over semi — waiting for England.
- South Africa enter battle-hardened after beating India in a crunch group match following an opening defeat to Australia, while England avoided all three of the tournament's other strongest teams in pool play.
- Australia await the winner in Sunday's final at Lord's after thrashing West Indies, completing a 2026 final lineup that will be played on home English soil.
Why it matters: A win sends England to a home World Cup final at Lord's against the tournament benchmark Australia; a loss extends a knockout slump that now spans two global semi-final exits to the same opponent, with Amy Jones' form and the Proteas' tougher group-stage path making this their sternest test of the tournament.
