THE Laura Wolvaardt-led Proteas Women’s team have ended years of “hurt” after becoming the first South African senior women’s cricket team to advance to an ICC World Cup final.
They will now be aiming to go one better than the Proteas men’s Aiden Markram-led side that lost the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to India in 2024.
Wolvaardt’s team have previously qualified for successive T20 World Cup finals, but no side has reached the holy grail of the 50-over World Cup before Wednesday evening’s 125-run semi-final thrashing of England in Guwahati in India.
Wolvaardt led spectacularly from the front with a majestic 169 – her maiden World Cup century and also the first time a team captain has reached the milestone in a semi-final – to power the Proteas to 319/7.
Equally, the historic victory had further gravitas as the Proteas were able to avenge their crushing 10-wicket defeat to England in the competition opener at the same venue three weeks ago.
Wolvaardt admitted that the trauma of being bowled out for 69 weighed on her ahead of the semi-finals.
“It did a little bit. Same opposition, same venue, your mind automatically goes back to your game,” said Wolvaardt, who also passed 5000 ODI runs on Wednesday. “So, really pleased to get the win tonight.”
Marizanne Kapp’s performance with the ball was something to behold with the veteran picking up two wickets in the very first over of the run-chase before returning later in the innings to hammer in the final nails in England’s coffin.
Wolvaardt was elated with the veteran all-rounder’s performance with the ball.
The skipper’s batting heroics was followed by a five-star performance with the ball from all-rounder Kapp, who had earlier provided a crucial 42 runs.
Kapp ripped through the England top and middle-order to finish with figures of 5/20.
The victory was extra special for the duo as they had been part of both Proteas teams that lost successive World Cup semi-finals to England in 2017 and 2022.
“Very special. Everyone is really excited. Having lost to this opposition in two previous editions in the semis, it really hurt the group,” Wolvaardt said.
“Very special (to be history-makers).We have played some really good cricket, and are proud of the group.”
Image (The Laura Wolvaardt-led Proteas Women’s team have ended years of “hurt” after becoming the first South African senior women’s cricket team to advance to an ICC World Cup final).
