The challenge for the Proteas Women to go one step further at the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup will require a never-before-seen achievement in the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa’s history with the ICC events is set to be rewritten as the Proteas Women will become the latest team to go on the hunt for glory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup from today.
Having become the first South African senior cricket team to reach the final of any ICC event and falling just short of the final hurdle last year on home soil, the challenge to reach the bar they set in the 2023 edition will require a never-before-seen achievement in the history of cricket in Mzansi.
The retention of most of the squad that made the final could prove to be advantageous, especially in a tough group that will feature former world champions England, the flair and power of the West Indies, the mystery of Scotland and the unpredictable nature of Bangladesh.
We look at the five Proteas players that might have the biggest impact in this year’s edition …
Laura Wolvaardt
The 25-year-old will be in the firing line as she will lead the way both as captain and the star opening batter.
Wolvaardt has been one of the few players that have maintained form throughout the summer, and her exploits have earned her a tag of expectations that she will carry from the onset.
The 2-1 series victory against Pakistan was her first one since assuming leadership from Suné Luus last year.
Marizanne Kapp
Solid with bat and ball, Kapp will also share some of the responsibilities as one of the senior players within the set-up.
Her wealth of experience playing in the shorter-format leagues around the world, including The Hundred and the Women’s Premier League in India, maintains her status as one of the best all-round players in the game.
Nonkululeko Mlaba
The 24-year-old left-arm orthodox bowler has played 52 matches for the Proteas and picked up 38 wickets.
Mlaba will be taking part in her third straight ICC T20 World Cup, and she was part of the teams that lost the semi-finals in 2020 and the final in 2023.
Her experience of sub-continental conditions could make her a key member of the bowling attack, but the need to strike a balance between defence and attack will be crucial.
Nadine de Klerk
A well travelled all-rounder who will be the glue to the middle and lower order with the bat, and after having recovered from an Achilles’ injury that kept her out of action for a while, De Klerk returned to action in the recently concluded series against Pakistan, and also managed to bowl a few vital overs ahead of the start of the tournament.
Suné Luus
The 28-year-old has hit form just in time for the start of the tournament. Luus scored a total of 94 runs in the recently concluded series win against Pakistan, and her exploits earned her the Player of the Series award.
The former skipper has also turned her arm over in recent matches, and could be an option for Wolvaardt for a couple of spin overs.
