As South Africa gears up to face India in their next Women’s World Cup fixture, Nadine de Klerk reflected on the team’s journey so far, their response to setbacks, and the lessons learned from recent tours, especially their series against Pakistan.
De Klerk believes that South Africa’s preparation in Pakistan was crucial in helping the team adjust to the subcontinent’s unique conditions. “We knew coming into a World Cup there would be ups and downs. Our series in Pakistan really helped us acclimatize. The conditions there were quite similar, slower wickets with turn, so that experience has been really valuable,” she said.
After a tough start against England, the Proteas bounced back strongly in their next match. De Klerk emphasized that the key was showing resilience and learning quickly from mistakes.
“It was tough getting bowled out for 70 in the first game. There was a lot of hype around the World Cup, and that wasn’t the start we wanted. But cricket teaches you to move on fast. We had honest conversations around our game plans and how to tackle spin, because that’s clearly going to dominate this tournament,” she explained.
“To come back the way we did, with Tasmin (Brits) and Sune (Luus) leading the charge after an early wicket, was incredible. It brought a lot of positivity into the group and showed that we’re capable, even on slower wickets.”
De Klerk, known for her explosive lower-order batting, admitted her role in this World Cup may look slightly different given the conditions.
“My role has always been to finish games, but this time it might not be about striking at a very high rate. It’s more about adapting, building partnerships and taking the game deep. You won’t always see 300-plus scores here, so it’s about scrapping for every run,” she said.
South Africa’s schedule has been demanding, with strong opponents and frequent travel. Yet, De Klerk sees it as an opportunity rather than a burden. “We knew we’d have to play the best teams at some point, so getting those early challenges out of the way helps us sharpen up. It’s been hectic with travel and practice, but we’re focusing on what we can control,” she noted.
“England was an eye-opener, we weren’t at our best, and they put us under pressure. It reminded us that we need to be ready for every single game.”
Tasmin Brits has been in superb touch lately, converting starts into big scores, notching up four centuries in previous five outings. De Klerk praised her teammate’s consistency and mindset. “Tasmin’s been outstanding. After that first match, she was disappointed, but she turned it around beautifully. Her ability to build innings and convert those starts has been a big boost for us.”
Looking ahead to the India game, De Klerk acknowledged the threat posed by both India’s seamers and spinners. “India have a quality attack, their new-ball bowlers are dangerous, and even in spin-friendly conditions, they’ve found ways to take early wickets. But we’re well-prepared for that. We expect spin to play a big role; it always does when we play India,” she said. “I think whoever handles spin the best will come out on top.”
As a medium pacer, De Klerk feels comfortable operating on slower pitches and believes South Africa’s bowling unit is adapting well.
“Personally, these conditions suit my game. Even though I’m one of the slower bowlers, I enjoy bowling here. Our attack has shown versatility, Ayabonga Khaka has been brilliant with the new ball, and our pacers have adjusted well, both in Pakistan and here. It’s all about adapting and assessing conditions quickly.”
With South Africa showing signs of resurgence, De Klerk’s calm confidence captures the team’s mindset heading into their clash with India.
“This World Cup is about fight and character,” she concluded. “We know the conditions, we’ve done the hard work, and now it’s about putting everything together when it matters the most.”
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