“When, not if”: Wolvaardt assured of South Africa reaching maiden ODI WC last

Taking classes from the previous, South Africa enters this month’s girls’s ODI World Cup with renewed confidence that they’ll stand toe-to-toe with the highest groups and at last break by to their maiden last, says skipper Laura Wolvaardt.

The Proteas have been probably the most constant sides in latest ICC tournaments, reaching the semi-finals within the final two editions of the ODI World Cup and ending runners-up in consecutive T20 World Cups.

They enter the marquee match on the again of a 2-1 away collection win in Pakistan.

“We’ve had good preparation for this tournament and learned a lot of lessons from past ICC events. In the last few ODI World Cups, we made the semi-finals,” Wolvaardt wrote in her column for ICC.

“I remember being part of that first semi-final loss in 2017 – it really hurt the group, but it helped us see that we could compete with the best sides in the world and qualifying for a final one day is more a question of “when” and not “if” it will ever occur.

“The belief is very strong in our side going into this tournament. We’d like to keep that momentum going, and we’ll have to play very good cricket in tough conditions,” she added.

South Africa’s firepower lies of their explosive high order, spearheaded by Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, whereas Marizanne Kapp continues to be the heartbeat of the all-round division.

Complementing Kapp are the skilled Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon, alongside the kids Nadine de Klerk and Nondumiso Shangase. This mix of expertise and youth offers the squad enviable stability and a number of match-winning choices.

“I strongly consider that we’ve got an excellent squad of 15 gamers. We bat very deep, with a whole lot of all-rounders giving us totally different bowling choices, which is thrilling for me as captain.

“Our center order has actually fired not too long ago with gamers like Chloé Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, and Nadine de Klerk ending video games strongly. Marizanne Kapp is likely one of the finest gamers South Africa has ever had – she at all times performs within the large moments.

“Nonkululeko Mlaba has also been phenomenal, and I think she will be crucial in subcontinent conditions. I can’t wait to see her bowl in India especially.”

Wolvaardt acknowledged the stiff problem forward, with India and Sri Lanka’s circumstances anticipated to check each crew.

“In these conditions, the local sides are always dangerous. We’ve seen how tough opponents like Australia and England remain, and India’s strength at home speaks for itself. Teams such as Australia, India, and New Zealand prepare meticulously — there’s simply no easy game at this level,” she added.

South Africa will open their marketing campaign towards England on October 3 in Guwahati.