Proteas Women ready to ride the pressure wave in World Cup semi-final, says skipper Wolvaardt

There was a time not too long ago that the Proteas Women’s team reaching a major ICC tournament semifinal was an achievement. 

Now, it’s almost expected, with Wednesday’s playoff in Guwahati being the Proteas’ third consecutive ODI World Cup semi-final appearance against the self-same England. Laura Wolvaardt’s side have also advanced past the semi-finals in successive T20 World Cups.

One of those T20 semi-final victories was achieved over England in Cape Town two years ago, which helped exact revenge for the defeats in the longer ODI format in Bristol (2017) and Christchurch (2022).

“We've had some success in ICC tournaments, so yeah I'm looking forward to the challenge,” Wolvaardt said. 

“Hopefully we're able to learn from those semi-final victories that we've got and maybe stay a bit calmer under pressure.” 

The Proteas arrived at this World Cup in India and Sri Lanka determined to play a brand of cricket, one with an element of risk but which has been unfettered by doubt or hesitancy.

It propelled them to an extraordinary five-match winning streak in the group stages, which was however bookended with heavy defeats to England and defending champions Australia. 

To compound matters, the England capitulation - bowled out for a record low 69 - occurred here in the north east of India. 

Wolvaardt has stated countless times in the Guwahati aftermath that “we are much, much better than 69 all out”, which her team has subsequently shown, but the acid test will be how her team, and particularly the skipper herself, responds when England turns up the pressure valve on Wednesday.

“I think I've learned a lot about myself as a leader, so I think for me tomorrow (Wednesday) it'll just be about keeping everyone as calm as possible,” she said.

“I think the calmest team out there will most likely win. Fifty overs is a very long time and it's very easy to let sort of the pressure of a semi-final get to you. But I think, it's still just a game of cricket and there'll be ups and downs within the game and I think the team that sort of rides those waves the best throughout the hundred over game will come out on top. 

“We have played some really good cricket throughout the tournament. It's definitely not a skill thing. So, I think most of our discussions have just been about making sure that we're in the right mental state to play the game, really believing in our preparation, really trusting in our skills and what we've done before.”

Wolvaardt also did not miss an opportunity to switch the spotlight on an England side, who are being touted as heavy favourites at odds of 1.33, while the Proteas are priced at 3.33.

“I think they're under a lot of pressure as well,” she said. “Everyone is in a semi-final, so yeah, I think it's whoever is able to handle that the best and just keep focusing on the positives that we've done right throughout the tournament.” 

A feature of the Proteas’ 2025 World Cup campaign has been their ability to share the load with five different players winning the Player of the Match award in seven matches. But while this is evidence of the growth the team has experienced over the past couple of years after previous dependence on a handful of individuals, the time has arrived for the seniors to step up in the clutch moments.

The success of the Proteas opening pair of Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits is critical to the team’s chances with the bat, and equally Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka need to lead from the front with the new ball as it could expose a brittle English middle-order.

“I think as a group we're really just trying to focus on the positives and still sticking to our gameplans and doing what we do best," Wolvaardt said.

“I think if we just keep playing the way that we have, we'll have a really good shot at winning.”

SQUADS FOR GUWAHATI SEMIFINAL

Proteas: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase

England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Tammy Beaumont, Em Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Start: 11:30am (SA time); TV: SuperSport