If one were to look at a team that has always reached the business end of an ICC tournament (speaking women of course) over the last decade, a name that immediately springs to mind is that of South Africa.
Be it the 2017 and the 2022 ODI World Cups where the Proteas were semi-finalists or the 2023 and the 2024 T20 World Cups where they finished just short of being numero uno.
What this shows us is that there is a certain and may I add determined mould of consistency amongst these women to plough their way to the very top irrespective of the gravest challenges thrown at them in the form of top teams like India and New Zealand to name a few.
And yes, in this ongoing edition of the Women’s ODI World Cup also, Laura Wolvaardt and her chargers have done exactly that with five massive wins on the trot conquering the aforementioned teams albeit
stumbling against mighty powerhouses like England and Australia.
A team that looks so convincing in front of India and the White Ferns suddenly becomes a meek version of themselves when faced with the likes of England and Australia to not even reach a total of 100 batting first.
One could contend with the fact that such a thing is bemusing, to say the least.
Perhaps the two Ashes rivals remain South Africa’s Achilles’ heel, one might argue. It’s fair to say the Proteas are yet to crack the code to conquer these cricketing powerhouses. Well, this needs to change if they harbour any ambitions of going the distance to lift their maiden ICC title with a semifinal clash looming against the English in a matter of days.
But how will this be possible?
Tazmin Brits has to fire at the top
Having just scored one ton against New Zealand amid the seven games played so far in this prestigious tournament, Tazmin Brits has been rather inconsistent at the top which has meant more load on her partner Laura Wolvaardt who is already burdened with the pressure of captaincy. And when it comes to facing the likes of England and Australia, this former Javelin thrower has wilted even more barely managing to put any runs on the board which has been a pill too tough for the Proteas to swallow.
This needs to be arrested as South Africa face England in a knockout match in a few days hoping to avenge the earlier loss where they were bowled out for just 69 runs.
Deplorable to say the least.
The domineering Brits having been a pillar of consistency before the World Cup needs to come to the party and show her aggressive side to give the Women in Green and Gold those rollicking starts that we have become so accustomed to see.
Annrie Deckersen and Anneke Bosch need to change their tag of being liabilities
If one were to define liability in cricketing terms, two names that epitomise this rather unfortunate word are Annrie Deckersen and Anneke Bosch with scoring just 16 and 35 runs respectively in the four games each they have played. Annrie primed to be the able replacement to the great Marizzane Kapp has just gone south in this tournament with the pressure of performing at the biggest stage perhaps being too overwhelming for her to handle.
Even for Bosch, the more experienced of the two, scoring runs has been as elusive as finding a needle in a haystack. Her role as the stabilizer in the middle order has, so far, fallen short of expectations.
This has to change if South Africa harbours any ambition of beating England in the semifinal as runs need to flow from the bat of either of these more than talented cricketers depending on who gets to play this all-important game.
Over-dependence on Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon should be arrested
If one were to talk about revelations in this tournament for South Africa, two names that most definitely fit the bill are Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon. Both these mighty fine cricketers have played crucial roles with both the ball and bat to rescue the Proteas from hopeless situations and get them over the line in games against India and Bangladesh.
Perhaps that’s a reason that the dependence on them especially with the willow in the lower middle order has furthered and South Africa to an extent needs to be cognisant of that. When these women have failed the lower middle order looks very bleak and this precisely has to change with the likes of Annrie Deckersen, Anneke Bosch and Sinalo Jafta shouldering more of the responsibility.
After all, the Proteas now stand at the business end of the tournament — a stage where even the slightest slip could reopen wounds too familiar to the 63 million Mzansi faithful. They’ve endured enough heartbreaks in the past.
So, dear Proteas, it’s time to rise.
The intrepid Proteas fan wants to ask you- can you bring your A-game against England?
Play with the fire, pride, and purpose that defines you — and show the world that South Africa is ready to soar to the very top.
