The resurgent defending champions beat the Proteas by 137-runs at the Hagley Oval to book their spot in the final against Australia.

The English scored 293/8 in their innings with Danni Wyatt scoring 129.

South Africa was bowled out for just 156 runs as the spinner Sophie Ecclestone recorded a career-best 6/36 in 8 overs.

The Proteas will feel that they lets themselves down in the field with several dropped catches, while they also weren't about to get any partnerships going in the run chase.

The Proteas captain, Suné Luus, said that is was a bitter pill to swallow, especially as the tournament was the last World Cup for a number of players.

“It's a very sad changeroom tonight,” said Luus, whose role is their success at the World Cup is hugely understated.

“There are a couple of players who might be playing their last World Cup, and for us as younger players, it breaks our hearts that we couldn't give them the final and help them get that trophy they've been working towards for about 15 years.

“It's going to be a hard pill to swallow, especially in the way we lost. I felt like that was disappointing.

While the result was certainly ideal and the disappointment will linger for quite some time, Luus, added that they will return to South Africa with their heads held high following a stellar World Cup.

“I guess it still doesn't take away from how we've been playing, so I think we need to look back at that," she said.

“It didn't go our way, but I think we can still be very proud of ourselves.

“I think we've had a brilliant campaign to get ourselves into the semi-finals.

“It's very disappointing to not be in that final, but we've played good cricket. We just didn't deliver our best today when it was needed.”

The final between Australia and England will be played on Sunday in Christchurch.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport