Mohor Chaudhuri
On a night drenched with emotion and ecstasy at the DY Patil Stadium, South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, stood tall amid heartbreak, crafting a magnificent century in the 2025 Women’s World Cup final against India. The Proteas fell 52 runs short of glory, but it’s safe to say that Wolvaardt’s sublime 101 off 98 balls will forever be etched in our memory. The knock was an epitome of elegance, grit, and unflinching composure under pressure.
After having batted first, India had put up a total of 298, and while South Africa wobbled early, Wolvaardt anchored the innings with her trademark calm. Every drive through the covers, and every flick past midwicket was a testament to her undaunting spirit and her will to take her team across the line. The captain led from the front and gave her absolute best, but as wickets fell around her, the mountain of runs only grew steeper. She reached her hundred with a quiet celebration, because she knew that the job was not done yet. When she finally departed after a heroic knock, the crowd stood up in unison and cheered – not for the scoreboard but for the heart behind the innings.
Scoring a century in a World Cup final is the stuff of legends, and it remains a rare and remarkable achievement. Earlier, it was Australia’s Karen Rolton who stroked 107 not out against India in the 2005 final. Then, 17 years later, it was another Aussie, Alyssa Healy, who etched her name into the record books with a remarkable 170 against England in the 2022 final. Incredibly, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 148 not out in the same game.
Wolvaardt joined this elite list with a brilliant century, but while like Sciver-Brunt, her effort ended in heartbreak. Her exceptional skill at the crease shone through, leaving a lasting impression on the viewers of the game.
Wolvaardt fought valiantl, in both the knockout games, with back-to-back centuries – a feat previously accomplished only by Healy in the 2022 edition. She scored a monumental 169 off 143 balls against England, steering South Africa into the final. But despite giving it her all in the summit clash as well, her dream of lifting the World Cup trophy was ultimately dashed.
Wolvaardt finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer with 571 runs, breaking records and earning respect worldwide. Her 2025 World Cup run will always be remembered for its consistency, grace, and calm composed leadership, as well as her iconic centuries in the matches that mattered.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news