'Where was our support?' SA questions cricket gender gap after Women's World Cup final

SOUTH Africa's Women's Cricket World Cup final loss to India has ignited a fierce national debate about gender inequality in sports after a viral social media post called out the lack of support from cricket officials and male ex-players.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

INDIA'S Prime Minister Narendra Modi posed with the winning trophy, and the Indian women's cricket team at his residence in New Delhi after India won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. India's historic Women's World Cup victory has sparked an excitement which it is hoped will inspire the next generation and draw new fans to the sport. While India's women celebrated with national icons present, South Africa's team stood alone, raising uncomfortable questions about how women's sports is valued in the country. | India Press Information Bureau AFP

(India Press Information Bureau AFP)

While India's women celebrated with national icons present, South Africa's team stood alone, raising uncomfortable questions about how women's sports is valued in the country.

India clinched the title with a commanding 52-run win over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

The match sparked a passionate social media post by South African actress and writer Thanja Vuur, known online as @cape_town_cricket_queen, who accused the nation's cricket establishment and male cricketers of abandoning the women's national team when they needed support the most.

In her viral Instagram video, Vuur did not hold back.

"India, you win this World Cup. Your congratulations is coming. Just give me a few minutes because first I'm gonna tell you why. The reason is you. Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, even VVS Laxman, were there to support you. Who the hell showed up from South Africa? Hm? These ex-cricket players that you love from South Africa, the men ... where are they? Oh, this event was not high-profile enough for them. Nobody showed up. I don't think our minister of sport was there."

Vuur said despite the team working hard, they received no recognition for their hard work or support from South Africa, encouraging them to victory.