For nearly 300 international matches, Sune Luus has been the reliable engine room of South Africa’s middle order. But as the Proteas gear up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, the veteran all-rounder is embracing a fresh challenge that has revitalized her game: life at the top of the order.
The tactical shift to pair Luus with captain Laura Wolvaardt is already paying dividends. During the second T20I of their current home series against India, the duo dismantled the bowling attack with a 106-run opening stand. For Luus, who contributed a classy 57 in the eight-wicket win at Durban, the transition feels more like an opportunity than a chore.
“I’m still new to the opening scene, but it’s a lot of fun,” Luus said. “I think with Laura, as my partner there, I think she brings a wealth of experience as well. So, I think just to be batting with her in the middle, facing an opposition like India doesn’t get any better than that.”
The move to the top was initiated late last year, aiming to give the Proteas a more explosive and stable start. While Luus has been remarkably consistent—reaching double figures in every outing since the promotion—she remains hungry for the kind of big runs or match-winning blitzes that define world-class openers. Despite two fifties in the last six months, the 30-year-old feels she has more in the tank.
“I think I’ve been hitting the ball well all season,” Luus continued. “I think it’s been frustrating not to get those big scores for me. But it’s been awesome just to contribute in every single game that I’ve been a part of and just to keep hitting the ball as well as I can. It’s only a matter of time when knocks like these are going to come out.”
The timing couldn’t be better. With the T20 World Cup set to begin on June 12, South Africa is searching for the final pieces of the puzzle to secure their first-ever ICC title. While the immediate focus is on the 3rd T20I vs India in Johannesburg—where a win would secure an unassailable lead in the series against India—Luus is keeping the bigger picture in mind.
The dream, of course, is a final at Lord’s in July. “It’s a big game on Wednesday to secure the series for us and we’ll be looking at that,” she added. “But at the end of the day, it’s another game to prepare for the (T20) World Cup and we’re taking it like that.”
If Luus continues to find the boundary with the same frequency she has this season, that “matter of time” she mentioned might just arrive on the world’s biggest stage.
Schedule:
First T20I, April 17 – Kingsmead, Durban (South Africa won by six wickets)
Second T20I, April 19 – Kingsmead, Durban (South Africa won by eight wickets)
Third T20I, April 22 – Wanderers, Johannesburg
Fourth T20I, April 25 – Wanderers, Johannesburg
Fifth T20I, April 27 – Willowmoore Park, Benoni
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