Women's World Cup 2025: 'Love the crowds' - Marizanne Kapp eager to face India in final

Marizanne Kapp has admitted that she is eager to take on India in the final of the Women's World Cup 2025. South Africa booked their place in the summit clash of the competition with a resounding 125-run win against England in the first semi-final. Kapp played a vital all-round role in the knockout clash with 42 off 33 with the bat and 5/20 in seven overs with the ball.

“Look, we've been saying for a couple of years now, I would love to play India in a final, especially I feel like when I play in India, even though the crowd is against me, it feels like they're shouting for me. So, I love the crowds,” stated Kapp, as quoted by India Today.

Kapp also said that the team did not mind losing the toss in the semi-final given how the matches had played out at the venue so far. She also credited the platform the openers set up. 

“It wasn't easy, no. I think, look, there was a calmness in the group this morning. For some reason, we just felt like what will happen will happen and yeah, I think once we lost the toss, I was actually happy that we batted first. Just looking at the stats of this ground and how it's been going this World Cup, I feel like they probably felt like they were going to roll us over like we did in the first game against them. But like our two openers set it up beautifully for us to come in and just play our natural game,” she added.

For the unversed, England had rolled out South Africa for just 69 in their first meeting in the campaign, winning the match by 10 wickets with a whopping 215 balls to spare. However, South Africa completely dominated the Three Lions in Guwahati on October 29.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt secured the Player of the Match award for a sublime 143-ball 169, which comprised 20 fours and four sixes. Wolvaardt was the final wicket to fall for her side. England could muster only 194 in 42.3 overs.

Co-hosts India are currently involved in their semi-final match against Australia at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The winner of the match will take on Wolvaardt-led unit at the same venue on Sunday, November 2.