On the stage called life, when women defy odds in the moments that matter most, WOW transforms
from being just a word into a feeling.
A feeling born of resilience, passion, and unyielding spirit — the hallmarks of true Women of Will whose stories echo through life and more pertinent to this article, cricket’s timeless pages. Well one such story was carved on Wednesday evening amid a scenic view of Guwahati as a determined South Africa outclassed and outshone England with much passion courtesy unbelievable performances from their two Women of Will in captain and batter extraordinaire Laura Wolvaardt and the timeless all-rounder, Marizanne Kapp.
The mighty English were beaten by a massive margin of 125 runs as the Proteas ascended to their maiden ODI World Cup final. A dream almost 10 years in the making, having fallen short to this very opposition in the knockout stages of the 2017 and the 2022 editions. Perhaps what made this occasion even more special was the intent these women showed from the get-go to reach their north star of beating England at any cost having faltered in their first game to this very team when they were bundled out for all of 69.
So how did the Proteas Women’s inspiring journey reach fever pitch?
Laser sharp Laura Wolvaardt set the tone
Speaking about a team getting rolled over for 69, here was their captain whose individual contribution was 100 runs more than the aforementioned number with a brilliant 169 as South Africa posted a massive 319 batting first. A stark contrast from what happened 26 days earlier if one were to reckon.
Every shot Laura played, be it the glance on the leg side or the hoist over midwicket or perhaps the classiest of them all, the soothing on the eye cover drive had an aura of unassuming confidence, almost to say today is my day and if there is anything you can do to change it, try it at your own peril.
The English evidently were out of answers as Laura Wolvaardt became the first captain in world cricket to score a century in the knockout game of a World Cup en route to also becoming the only South African to surmount the 5000-run mark in the 50-over format.
A double feat undoubtedly worth every praise.
Magnificent Marizanne delivered yet again in South Africa’s hour of need
When one talks about emotions flowing through a person while hearing the national anthem, one
need not look beyond Marizanne Kapp who always has a tear rolling down her eye when ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ is played.
Perhaps that’s testament to the love she has for her nation and one saw this in good measure as this towering all-rounder almost Kallis-esque brought her A-game to the fold with an outstanding
performance of taking five English wickets and conceding all of 20 runs. She was crucial in removing the hard-hitting Amy Jones followed by the prized wicket of perhaps the greatest English batter in Heather Knight in the first over of England’s innings.
The expression on Knight’s face as her stumps were castled by Kapp summed up England’s day
marred by misfortunes and perhaps a feeling of what have I done.
Kapp was also instrumental in getting three more cherries in her second spell when captain Wolvaardt needed those vital wickets after Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver Brunt brought some semblance of respectability to the English score which truth be told looked in tatters at 1 for 3. This wasn’t all as her batting was also critical to South Africa’s cause as she put up a much needed 72-run partnership with her captain when the Proteas had lost their way slightly after getting off to a rather healthy start.
Very impressive, if one were to ask.
So, as history stands on the brink of being rewritten, the Proteas step onto that final frontier when they lock horns with India who themselves have shown much heart by playing fearlessly and passionately as only they can.
The Proteas women carry more than just the hopes of eleven players; they carry the heartbeat of a nation that believes. Because when Wolvaardt leads with calm fire, and Kapp charges in with passion blazing, anything feels possible.
The world has taken notice of these Women of Will. The final awaits. South Africa isn’t just here to compete anymore.
The Proteas women, well, they are here to conquer. But will they, let us stay glued to whatever gadget we are hooked onto, akin to Laura Wolvaardt’s unavoidably beautiful cover drive.
