Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Journey of South Africa to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final

October 19, 2024
Team Female Cricket

If there’s something South African cricket has consistently showcased in recent years, it is that the team can rise on bigger occasions like the World Cup. The South African women’s team is all set to feature in the second consecutive final in the 2024 T20 Women’s World Cup.

Journey of South Africa to the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 Final. PC: Getty
Journey of South Africa to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final. PC: Getty

Before 2023, South Africa had never played in a World Cup final, but that changed when Sune Luus led the team to their first-ever appearance in a T20 World Cup final. Hosted on home soil, the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup was a turning point for South African cricket, not just for the women’s team, but across both men’s and women’s formats. Although the Proteas fell to Australia in a tightly contested final, that match marked the arrival of a new, fearless South African team on the world stage.

In August 2023, South Africa appointed Laura Wolvaardt as their full-time captain across all formats, ushering in a new era of leadership. However, the team didn’t arrive at the 2024 T20 World Cup in red-hot form. Since their 2023 World Cup final, South Africa had played seven bilateral series but managed to win only one, a hard-fought 2-1 series victory against Pakistan just before the World Cup. Despite the shaky buildup, the Proteas were determined to make their mark.

South Africa was placed in Group B alongside some of the strongest sides in women’s cricket, including 2009 champions England, and 2016 winners West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland. Their campaign began with a dominant win against the West Indies, as they chased down 119 without losing a wicket. However, they stumbled in their next game, suffering a 7-wicket defeat against England, who comfortably chased 125. Unfazed, South Africa bounced back with a commanding performance against Scotland, posting 166 and bowling them out for just 86, securing a massive 80-run win. They followed this up with a comfortable victory over Bangladesh, chasing down 107 to win by 7 wickets.

With three wins and one loss, South Africa narrowly secured their place in the knockouts, finishing second in their group behind the West Indies due to net run rate, with both teams and England all having three wins and one defeat.

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The semi-finals posed the ultimate challenge for Laura Wolvaardt’s side as they faced Australia, the five-time T20 World Cup champions and the team that had denied them the title in 2023. With seven straight T20 World Cup wins over South Africa, the Australians were the clear favorites. However, the Proteas were determined to break that streak.

In a gripping contest at the Dubai International Stadium, South Africa’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, restricting Australia to 134. The chase was never going to be easy against Australia’s formidable bowling attack, but Anneke Bosch rose to the occasion with a brilliant, unbeaten 74 off 48 balls. Supported by Wolvaardt steady 42, Bosch’s aggressive stroke play helped South Africa stun Australia and secure a spot in their second consecutive T20 World Cup final.

This monumental victory over the tournament’s most successful team was a defining moment, giving South Africa the confidence and belief that they could go all the way.

South Africa’s 2024 campaign has been marked by solid contributions from both bat and ball. Laura Wolvaardt has led from the front, amassing 190 runs to top the tournament’s run-scoring charts, while Tazmin Brits has played a pivotal role with 170 runs, providing crucial partnerships at the top. In the bowling department, veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba have been instrumental, picking up key wickets and keeping opposition batters in check on the slow surfaces of Dubai and Sharjah.

Earlier this year, the South African men’s team also reached their first-ever T20 World Cup final, only to fall agonizingly short against India. Now, the women’s team has the chance to achieve what the men could not: bring home a T20 World Cup title. Standing in their way are New Zealand, two-time runners-up.

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The 2024 final presents South Africa with the opportunity to make history and claim their first-ever ICC World Cup title in any format. Having proven their mettle by overcoming the Australian hurdle, Laura Wolvaardt and her team are just one win away from immortalizing themselves in South African cricket lore.

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