Proteas back themselves as CWC25 challenge beckons

After consistent final four appearances in recent outings, skipper Laura Wolvaardt wants her team to go all the way at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

With just over a week left until South Africa begin their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign against England, Wolvaardt and her team are confident of obtaining better results. South Africa head into the event, on the back of a confident series win in Pakistan.

In recent years, the Proteas have come close to success in ICC events, reaching the semi-finals in the last two ODI World Cups and finishing as runners-up in back-to-back ICC Women's T20 World Cups.

“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.” said the South Africa skipper.

“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 one-day final is more a question of “when” and not “if” it would ever happen”

“The belief is very strong in our side going into this tournament.”

South Africa boast a solid core team filled with experience across the board but with a long tournament ahead and the immense pressure of a World Cup at stake, it’s crucial for them to stay grounded and not get ahead of themselves.

“I strongly believe that we have a very good squad of 15 players on the plane, so I’m very excited for this tournament.” said the 26-year-old.

“We bat very deep, with a lot of all-rounders giving us different bowling options, which is exciting for me as captain.

“The most important thing for us is to trust the process and take it one game at a time. You never want to get ahead of yourself – it’s a long tournament with lots of cricket, so staying present and focusing on ourselves is key.”

Wolvaardt anticipates a tough challenge in India and Sri Lanka, with the subcontinental conditions set to add an extra edge to the tournament. The Proteas skipper believes there will be no easy outings.

“In subcontinent conditions, the local teams come into the game a lot more. We’ve lost to New Zealand in a World Cup final and teams like Australia and England are always strong.

“Every opponent will be tough, especially in these conditions, where subcontinent players are excellent against spin and their bowlers are very crafty. Teams like Australia, India and New Zealand prepare very well, so there’s never an easy game.”

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, and Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit

Management

Mandla Mashimbyi (Head Coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (Team Manager), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Baakier Abrahams (Batting Coach), Dillon du Preez (Bowling Coach), Bongani Ndaba (Fielding Coach), Zane Webster (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Abram Ramoadi (Performance Analyst), Neline Hoffman-Kellerman (Physiotherapist), Dr Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (Team Doctor), Happiness Mesi (Logistics and Massage Therapist), Lita Gqirana (Media Manager) and Zahid Shaik (Close Protection Officer).

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday, 3 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati)

Monday, 6 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Thursday, 9 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Monday, 13 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday, 17 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 2 November @ 11.30am - Final (TBC)