Proteas Women have plenty to work with for future World Cup success

South Africa's 50-over World Cup campaign showed what was needed for the team to hit the next level, and for management too. By Keanan Hemmonsbey

- Keanan Hemmonsbey

Sinalo Jafta and Annerie Dercksen celebrate getting the wicket of Richa Ghosh during the ICC Women's World Cup final between South Africa and India at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India, on 2 November.

(Photo: Surjeet Yadav/Gallo Images)

The Proteas Women have proven three times over that they are good enough to reach the final of a global tournament. The next step will be to jump over the final hurdle.

The recently completed ICC Women’s World Cup reaffirmed South Africa as one of the best cricket teams globally despite their 52-run loss to India in the final.

For 26 years of Cricket World Cup history, starting in 1997 when South Africa took part for the first time, the team failed to make it further than the semifinals. That tide has shifted rapidly since and its flow has remained in South Africa's direction. Since 2023, the Proteas have reached the apex of a tournament on three occasions.

The first at home in 2023 broke the 26-year streak at the T20 World Cup before repeating the feat in the United Arab Emirates in 2024. Australia, New Zealand and now India — in that order — were the teams to topple the Proteas in those finals.

“After that first one in Newlands, we had domestic contracts introduced. That's really big for our depth as a team,” Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt said about the impact of reaching the brink of glory on her team.

“The last one (in 2024) just made us a bigger name in cricket, I guess. We're the team that consistently is making finals now, whereas before it was maybe a onetime thing. I’m really proud that we were able to reach three in a row.

“It shows that we're doing something right domestically and, from a squad perspective, consistency-wise. Hopefully we can keep reaching finals and one day we can win one.”

Putting their hands up