South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt says her side’s repeated heartbreaks at major ICC tournaments have only sharpened their hunger to lift their first senior women’s world title. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup set to be played in England and Wales, Wolvaardt also pointed to the return of experienced fast bowler Shabnim Ismail as a timely boost to the group.
South Africa have been close in both formats, reaching three ICC T20 World Cup finals over the past three years when men’s and women’s contests are considered together. Yet, the team still remains in search of its maiden senior ICC women’s trophy. That quest has come with painful near-misses: in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil, South Africa were beaten by Australia by 19 runs in the final. A year later in Dubai, they suffered another final defeat, this time losing to New Zealand by 32 runs.
Wolvaardt’s message ahead of the tournament
- Wolvaardt said reaching consecutive T20 World Cup finals has been special for the team, but it has also made the players “even hungrier” to take the next step.
- She added that the motivation is to go beyond participation and finally finish the job.
The captain also noted that South Africa’s frustrations are not limited to T20s. Last year, they finished runners-up in the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup final in India, where they were beaten by the tournament co-hosts.
Heading into the T20 World Cup, South Africa arrive on the back of a strong run at home: they won a five-match T20I series against India 4-1. Wolvaardt described the contest as another stern assessment against one of the strongest teams in world cricket.
Wolvaardt said the series win gave the squad confidence, while also highlighting the group’s ability to respond under pressure and show resilience. She further stressed that the World Cup demands contributions at different times, with multiple players stepping up rather than relying on a single phase or individual.
Wolvaardt led by example in that India series, producing a tally of 330 runs across five T20Is at a strike rate of 168.37. Her output included a century along with three half-centuries, underlining her form with the bat.
Reflecting on her season, Wolvaardt called it among the most enjoyable in her career. She attributed the positive stretch to clarity in her approach and a conscious decision to avoid placing excessive pressure on herself—choosing instead to focus on giving the team what it needs in the moment.
Ismail’s return adds experience and wicket-taking threat
South Africa’s campaign has also received a major boost through Ismail’s return. The 37-year-old fast bowler had retired from international cricket after the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, but now returns with 297 international wickets to her name and recent franchise cricket form behind her.
Wolvaardt said Ismail’s comeback is “very exciting” because everyone understands the calibre and experience she brings. She also described Ismail as one of the best fast bowlers in the world—someone capable of swinging a match quickly.
Beyond bowling skill, Wolvaardt highlighted the energy Ismail adds to the dressing room. She said the team is happy to welcome her back in Proteas colours, with the hope that the additional firepower and familiarity will help South Africa go one step further and lift the trophy.
Tournament details and group opponents
South Africa have been placed in Group 1 of the Women’s T20 World Cup alongside India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.
The event will also feature a record prize money pool of USD 8,764,615, which represents a 10% increase compared with the 2024 edition.
