England skipper Sciver-Brunt expects a tough fight from South Africa

After watching her teammates, from outside the field, doing so well for the last couple of weeks, Nat Sciver-Brunt must be relieved that she could finally join them out there. So must be them.

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The England captain is one of the brightest talents in the game. And she is itching to go in the semifinal against South Africa at the Oval on Thursday (July 2, 2026).

“I have worked really hard to get myself [to get fit and ready],” Sciver-Brunt said. “Obviously, our team has been really successful, and lots of different people have stood up. Yes, someone’s going to be really disappointed tomorrow [to miss out to make way for me].”

She expects a tough fight from South Africa. “They are a world-class team and have made it to lots of the finals in previous World Cups and are extremely competitive,” she said. “For us, it has been a brilliant experience playing at home, in front of families and friends. And we know where all the good coffee spots are as well in each of the cities.”

Her counterpart Laura Wolvaardt is hoping to bring her back her form in the home series against India, which had no answer to her bat. “I just need to maybe have a think over the next 24 hours of what went well for me back then,” she said. “Obviously it is so recent, it is not like my batting has changed. It is probably just a bit of a mindset thing. I think hopefully I am able to channel a bit of that against England.”

South Africa would love that.