After a shaky start to their ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 campaign, South Africa have rediscovered their rhythm with three successive victories, and much of that resurgence has been driven by the ever-improving left-arm spinner, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and the all-round heroics from Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk, lower down the order.
As Laura Wolvaardt’s team prepares to face Chamari Athapaththu’s spirited Sri Lanka on October 17 in Colombo from 3 PM IST, Mlaba spoke confidently in her pre-match press conference, emphasising composure, clarity, and consistency as the team’s pillars of progress.
The 25-year-old Mlaba, currently South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament with eight wickets at an average of 17.12 and an economy of 4.28, including a four-wicket haul (10-0-40-4) against New Zealand, has quietly become one of the most valuable members of this Proteas side.
Her controlled spin and ability to strike at crucial moments have been instrumental in South Africa’s bounce-back after their opening 10-wicket defeat to England on October 3 in Guwahati. Since then, victories over New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh have placed them third on the points table with six points from four games.
Reflecting on the tight finishes that have recently gone South Africa’s way, Mlaba highlighted the team’s growing belief in handling pressure moments. “Yeah, obviously, as a team we’re trying to take each game at a time, and the focus is to try and win all the games that we play,” she said. “The confidence is there for the team, and yeah, we’re just ready for the next game.”
Her ability to maintain composure even when the matches have gone down to the final overs mirrors the mental resilience enveloping the squad. South Africa’s recent three-wicket victories over India and Bangladesh tested their temperament, with Mlaba acknowledging both relief and readiness when asked about nearly having to bat in those tense endings.
“I was definitely going to contribute as well for the team, because I know batting is my second skill,” she admitted with a smile. “But I was kind of a bit happy that I didn’t go in, because the pressure was too much and thank God to Nadine (de Klerk) that she finished the game for us.”
With the encounter shifting to Colombo, Mlaba expects conditions to favour her craft. “Yeah, I think it’s my second time playing here, right? We had a tri-series against Sri Lanka and India, and it’s always good to come back here and hopefully this time around, doing well for the team,” she said.
Despite the venue change from India to Sri Lanka, Mlaba insisted she would not alter her approach. “No, no changes, just doing the same thing that I normally do best and just sticking to my good lines and lengths, the rest will take care of itself.” Her steady plan reflects a maturity that has developed over the past few years, a hallmark of a bowler confident in her rhythm and role.
South Africa’s focus now turns to Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lankans, who themselves have shown flashes of resilience throughout the competition. Mlaba’s respect for the hosts was evident. “Each and every team is very hard to play against,” she observed. “We’ve played against Sri Lanka in a Tri-series and also at home, and they’ve beaten us a few times. Their spinners are great, and Athapaththu herself she’s a gun player for their team. So as a team, we don’t undermine any side; we just play our own game and try our best to win.”
Drawing from her previous duels with Sri Lanka, Mlaba pointed out how that experience has refined her tactical awareness. “I think now, as a team, we kind of know the players, especially for me as a bowler, I know where to bowl, their strengths, their weaknesses. So yeah, it was very important for me to actually read and know the players.”
Facing a Sri Lankan side with multiple left-handers, Mlaba dismissed the idea of threats or over-preparation, instead reiterating faith in her unit. “Definitely no, I think, since they face me, I’m the left-arm spinner in the team, and there’s no threat at all. They know what to do, and I just trust them and back them to deliver.”
When asked about South Africa’s recent bowling phase, where they allowed Bangladesh to recover from 78/5 to post 232, she remained pragmatic. “I think that’s obviously a part of the game. As a team, we started well, and sometimes we just let them in there, but it’s about bringing the team together and focusing during that same period. I’ve watched a lot of games, and a lot of teams have also been good going towards the backend of the innings. It’s cricket, so yeah.”
For Mlaba and South Africa, the Colombo clash is not just another group fixture; it’s an opportunity to solidify their campaign before facing sterner tests ahead, including Australia in the final league game. Her poise, discipline, and self-belief encapsulate the essence of the Proteas’ revival so far. With the ball gripping and spinning in Sri Lanka, Nonkululeko Mlaba will once again be the quiet, yet decisive force South Africa turns to, as their World Cup journey intensifies in the subcontinental heat.
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