Image source: Proteas Women (Twitter/ X)
On 14th June 2025, a curse was broken, the impossible achieved as one South African team with their heads held high, triumphantly lifted an ICC mace at the Mecca of Cricket, Lord’s.
This team was non other than the Proteas men ably led by captain Temba Bavuma who had finally broken the hoodoo of ICC tournaments to get their hands on some silverware, 27 years in the making as thousands of miles away their female counterparts rejoiced with much glee.
Breaking the norm, achieving longstanding glory
As South Africa’s men shattered the long-standing curse, Laura Wolvaardt and her chargers watched with pride — and purpose. It felt like more than a victory; it was a shift in destiny.
Now, with history stirring and the 2025 ODI Women’s World Cup on the horizon, it is up to them to emulate the success, that the entire Mzansi knows is more than just a dream.
In a matter of a few days, September 30 to be precise, eight countries lock horns in the sub-continent for the ultimate prize in Women’s Cricket, which if I may has history dating back to 1973, two years before the inception of the men’s edition.
Undoubtedly something to be written in the annals of cricketing history with much valour.
Fighting through fire and heartbreaks and holding steady
Having reached the semi-finals in both the 2017 and 2022 ODI World Cups, and falling just short of glory in the 2023 and 2024 Women’s T20 World Cups, expectations are sky-high for Laura Wolvaardt and her chargers. The pressure is real — and so is the belief.
Well, the task isn’t going to be easy as India playing at home will be firm favourites followed by the ever-consistent Australia who would look to ascend to their eighth title.
If that is not impressive, then what is?
Most countries don’t end up playing eight World Cups and the Kangaroos are eyeing an eighth hurrah. Feels good to be Alysaa Healy, if one were to reckon.
And one shouldn’t discount England and New Zealand who also have consistently put good performances when it comes to the cream of women’s ICC tournaments.
With this being said, the Proteas as things stand haven’t been in the best of form in the last one year losing more ODIs than ending on the right side and now under new coach, Mandla Mashimbyi, they would look to arrest this slide.
The importance of being Tazmin Brits
The key figure at the top apart from the ever-reliable Laura Wolvaardt would be Tazmin Brits, who one could safely say has been in the form of her life with scoring four of her six ODI tons in 2025 at an imposing strike-rate of 94 with a career best of 171 which she recently surmounted against Pakistan.
A potent unit capable of dislodging the strongest
One would hope these two powerhouses more often than not give South Africa those steady yet rollicking starts which could serve as fodder for the likes of Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen and perhaps the greatest all-rounder of her time, Marizanne Kapp to capitalize on.
When it comes to their bowling Kapp would undoubtedly lead the way with 169 cherries already against her name ably supported by the pillar of consistent line and length bowling complemented by swing in Ayabonga Khaka.
A name that would be dearly missed by not only the South African ladies but the entire country would be that of Shabnam Ismail who perhaps has been the quickest bowler not only for the Proteas but across world cricket.
Spin it, to win it
One would also reckon spin to play a big role in conditions most favourable to slow bowling, and South Africa does look well stocked up in this department too with Nonkululeko Mlaba leading the way and the likes of Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus who would serve as more than able backups.
With a well-balanced, battle-hardened squad that ticks all the right boxes, the women in Green and Gold have every reason to believe they can go deep — and perhaps even go all the way — finally conquering the elusive ICC title, just as their male counterparts did.
But only one question remains: can they answer the call?
In just over a month, the world will know. And for die-hard South African fans like myself, we can only hope that when the final ball is bowled and the dust settles, history has been made — and the women have claimed their rightful place among cricket’s champions.
