<p>South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt believes that the heartbreak of finishing runners-up in the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups have made their side even more "hungrier" to finally secure their first major ICC title. She also expressed excitement over the return of experienced fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who has come out of retirement for the upcoming tournament.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>South Africa have suffered several near misses on the global stage in recent years, including appearances in three ICC finals across men’s and women’s cricket. In the women’s T20 World Cup, the Proteas fell short against Australia by 19 runs in the 2023 final held at home, before suffering another defeat to New Zealand by 32 runs in Dubai the following year.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Looking ahead to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, Wolvaardt said those setbacks have only increased the team’s hunger to go all the way this time.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"Reaching back-to-back T20 World Cup finals has obviously been very special for us as a team, but I think it has also made us even hungrier to go one step further," Wolvaardt wrote in an ICC column.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pak-vs-aus-2026-odi-series-pakistan-mohammad-rizwan-absent-australia-series-head-coach-mike-hesson-1779797276596"><strong>‘Dismal 12-month record’ behind Rizwan’s omission from Australia ODIs: Hesson</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>South Africa also gained confidence from a convincing 4-1 T20I series victory at home against India ahead of the tournament. Wolvaardt described the series as an important challenge against one of the world’s top sides and said the performances highlighted the depth and resilience within the squad, with different players stepping up in crucial moments.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"The India series was another good test against one of the strongest teams in the world," Wolvaardt said.</p><p><br>"Winning that series gave the group a lot of confidence, but more importantly, it showed the ability and resilience within the squad. Players stepped up at different times and that is something you need at a World Cup," she added.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The skipper herself enjoyed an outstanding series, amassing 330 runs across five matches at a strike rate of 168.37, including one century and three fifties.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-here-s-all-you-need-to-know-about-rcb-vs-gt-qualifier-1-timing-squad-h2h-more-1779788598700"><strong>IPL 2026: Here's all you need to know about RCB vs GT Qualifier 1</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>South Africa have also received a significant boost with the return of veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail. The 37-year-old retired from international cricket after the 2023 T20 World Cup but has decided to return for the upcoming event. With 297 international wickets and strong performances in franchise cricket, Ismail adds both experience and firepower to the Proteas bowling attack.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In T20 Women's World Cup 2026, South Africa have been placed in Group 1 of the tournament alongside India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Proteas will open their World Cup campaign against Australia women’s cricket team on Jun 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.</p>

Laura Wolvaardt said South Africa are more motivated than ever to win the Women’s T20 World Cup after three successive ICC final defeats, adding that recent setbacks have increased the team’s hunger and resilience.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt believes that the heartbreak of finishing runners-up in the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups have made their side even more "hungrier" to finally secure their first major ICC title. She also expressed excitement over the return of experienced fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who has come out of retirement for the upcoming tournament. South Africa have suffered several near misses on the global stage in recent years, including appearances in three ICC finals across men’s and women’s cricket. In the women’s T20 World Cup, the Proteas fell short against Australia by 19 runs in the 2023 final held at home, before suffering another defeat to New Zealand by 32 runs in Dubai the following year. Looking ahead to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, Wolvaardt said those setbacks have only increased the team’s hunger to go all the way this time. "Reaching back-to-back T20 World Cup finals has obviously been very special for us as a team, but I think it has also made us even hungrier to go one step further," Wolvaardt wrote in an ICC column. Also Read - ‘Dismal 12-month record’ behind Rizwan’s omission from Australia ODIs: Hesson South Africa also gained confidence from a convincing 4-1 T20I series victory at home against India ahead of the tournament. Wolvaardt described the series as an important challenge against one of the world’s top sides and said the performances highlighted the depth and resilience within the squad, with different players stepping up in crucial moments. "The India series was another good test against one of the strongest teams in the world," Wolvaardt said. "Winning that series gave the group a lot of confidence, but more importantly, it showed the ability and resilience within the squad. Players stepped up at different times and that is something you need at a World Cup," she added. The skipper herself enjoyed an outstanding series, amassing 330 runs across five matches at a strike rate of 168.37, including one century and three fifties. Also Read - IPL 2026: Here's all you need to know about RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 South Africa have also received a significant boost with the return of veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail. The 37-year-old retired from international cricket after the 2023 T20 World Cup but has decided to return for the upcoming event. With 297 international wickets and strong performances in franchise cricket, Ismail adds both experience and firepower to the Proteas bowling attack. In T20 Women's World Cup 2026, South Africa have been placed in Group 1 of the tournament alongside India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The Proteas will open their World Cup campaign against Australia women’s cricket team on Jun 13 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

<p>Laura Wolvaardt said South Africa are more motivated than ever to win the Women’s T20 World Cup after three successive ICC final defeats, adding that recent setbacks have increased the team’s hunger and resilience.</p>

'Hungrier': Laura Wolvaardt backs Proteas to end ICC trophy drought

<p>A South African fan has hit out at own country for the lack of support by former players during the Women's World Cup 2025 final on Sunday (Nov 2). South Africa lost the final of the tournament against India women by 52 runs. The fan, whose name on Instagram account shows as Thanja Vuur, has called out former men's players from South Africa for failing to show up on the biggest stage. Meanwhile, India women were greeted with support of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and even Rohit Sharma.</p><h2>South Africa fan calls out Protea men's cricketers for lack of support</h2><p>"Who the hell showed up from South Africa? Hm? These ex-cricket players that you love from South Africa, the men... where are they? Oh, this event was not high-profile enough for them. Nobody showed up. I don't think our minister of sport was there," Thanja Vuur said in the video on Instagram after India's win.</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQkMWK3gGvA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQkMWK3gGvA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQkMWK3gGvA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Thanja Vuur 🔥 (@cape_town_cricket_queen)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>The video had the caption, "Indian win because their people care" while she added: "You guys live and breathe this sport... It is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You are the winners of this World Cup. And you know what? You deserve it."</p><h2>South Africa's hot and cold campaign ends in heartbreak</h2><p>Chasing 299, South Africa kept losing wickets at regular interval in the final despite skipper Laura Wolvaardt's 101. Eventually, the Protea women were bowled out for 246 as India lifted their maiden 50-over World Cup trophy in women's cricket.</p><p><strong>Also Read</strong> - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-has-no-immediate-plans-for-a-victory-parade-for-india-s-women-s-world-cup-trophy-here-s-why-1762225938157">BCCI has no immediate plans for a victory parade for WWC trophy. Here's why</a></p><p>In the league stage, South Africa won five of seven games including against India to book a semis berth against England. They won the first and last match in the league stage after being bowled out for 69 and 97 against England and Australia, respectively. The Protea women, however, beat England in semis with utter dominance thanks to a record 169 by skipper Wolvaardt who finished with most runs (571) in a single edition of the tournament ever.</p>

Chasing 299, South Africa kept losing wickets at regular interval in the final despite skipper Laura Wolvaardt's 101. Eventually, the Protea women were bowled out for 246 as India lifted their maiden 50-over World Cup trophy in women's cricket.

A South African fan has hit out at own country for the lack of support by former players during the Women's World Cup 2025 final on Sunday (Nov 2). South Africa lost the final of the tournament against India women by 52 runs. The fan, whose name on Instagram account shows as Thanja Vuur, has called out former men's players from South Africa for failing to show up on the biggest stage. Meanwhile, India women were greeted with support of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and even Rohit Sharma. South Africa fan calls out Protea men's cricketers for lack of support "Who the hell showed up from South Africa? Hm? These ex-cricket players that you love from South Africa, the men... where are they? Oh, this event was not high-profile enough for them. Nobody showed up. I don't think our minister of sport was there," Thanja Vuur said in the video on Instagram after India's win.

<p>Chasing 299, South Africa kept losing wickets at regular interval in the final despite skipper Laura Wolvaardt's 101. Eventually, the Protea women were bowled out for 246 as India lifted their maiden 50-over World Cup trophy in women's cricket.</p>

'Where are they': South Africa fan calls out men's cricketers for showing no support during Women's World Cup final

<p>When Harmanpreet took that sensational catch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk, India’s roar took over the night sky in Navi Mumbai. The camera quietly drifted to a corner of the South African dugout. Amid the blinding confetti and chaos of celebration sat Laura Wolvaardt — motionless, expressionless, almost detached from the frenzy around her. There was no dramatic collapse of emotion, no visible heartbreak. Just a still figure in green, shoulders set, eyes heavy with reflection. It was an image that said everything about the captain and the team she led — composed in defeat, resilient in spirit, and dignified in heartbreak. For South Africa, this World Cup was not about the trophy they missed; it was about how close they came, and how they refused to break after being broken once before.</p><h2>From 69 all out to the World Cup final</h2><p>South Africa’s 2025 campaign began with humiliation. Early in the group stage, they were bundled out for 69 — a collapse so severe it seemed to rip the air out of their ambitions. Critics wrote them off, fans turned anxious, and whispers of another early exit began to swirl. But within the camp, Wolvaardt held the line. There were no rousing speeches or dramatic team meetings — just quiet accountability. “We’ll come back stronger,” she was quoted as saying to the press that evening. It sounded like a cliche at the time. Weeks later, it became prophecy.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Proteas regrouped. They restructured their middle order, leaned on their experienced campaigners — Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, and Ayabonga Khaka — and rediscovered their competitive edge. One win followed another. A tight chase here, a bowling masterclass there. Slowly, the tournament began to tilt.</p><h2>The captain who anchored through the storm</h2><p>For years, Laura Wolvaardt has been South Africa’s most stylish and technically sound batter — all poise and precision, her cover drives the envy of every purist. But this World Cup transformed her from a run-maker into a leader. At 26, she carried not only the burden of expectation but also the responsibility of a nation’s hopes in transition. Under her watch, South Africa didn’t just play cricket — they believed again. In the semi-final against England, she produced one of the most commanding innings in the tournament’s history — a 169-run epic that bulldozed England's bowling line-up and booked South Africa’s maiden ticket to an ODI World Cup final. It wasn’t just an innings; it was an announcement. “She makes batting look like breathing,” a commentator said that day. It wasn’t hyperbole. Every shot, every glide through the covers, every moment of stillness between balls — it was textbook and yet deeply personal, the mark of a player who has learned to balance grace with grit.</p><h2>Watch Mandhana-Laura heartwarming moment</h2>

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<h2>A hundred in vain, but not in vain</h2><p>And then came the final. Facing India’s relentless bowlers, Wolvaardt crafted a century — a measured, masterful 101 — that kept her team afloat amid mounting pressure. Her innings was the perfect counterpoint to the chaos around her: calm when wickets tumbled, composed when the asking rate soared. But cricket can be cruel. Her brilliance was outshone by India’s collective dominance. As the match slipped away, the South African captain stood at the non-striker’s end, bat tucked under her arm, staring into the void of what could have been.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When it ended, and India’s players swarmed the field, several of them made their way to Wolvaardt. Smriti Mandhana was the first to hug her. Others followed. In that moment, it was no longer about victory or defeat — it was about recognition. About respect. About the quiet thunder that Wolvaardt embodies. Wolvaardt’s quietness is deceptive. Beneath that calm exterior lies one of the sharpest cricketing minds in the women’s game. Her leadership is subtle — no grand gestures, no visible aggression — but it runs deep. Her teammates call her “ice in the veins”; her opponents call her “the wall.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This World Cup, she wasn’t just leading a team; she was redefining South African women’s cricket. From being perennial semi-finalists to genuine finalists, the Proteas’ transformation was rooted in her methodical consistency. “She doesn’t talk much,” said teammate Kapp after the semi-final. “But when she does, we all listen. Because she’s lived everything she asks of us.” That’s the difference between command and conviction. Wolvaardt led by example — and in doing so, gave her country its most remarkable campaign yet.</p><h2>Laura Wolvaardt speaks during post-match presentation ceremony</h2>

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<h2>What comes next for Laura's team</h2><p>The Proteas may have fallen 52 runs short of glory, but the gap between them and the world’s best has never been smaller. This was a campaign of rebirth — from a team dismissed for 69 to a side that produced one of the most admired captains and innings in recent memory. For a country still carving its place in women’s cricket, this was validation: they belong on the biggest stage.</p><p>As the lights dimmed on the final night, Wolvaardt finally stood up from the dugout and walked across the field. No tears, no smiles — just quiet pride. The crowd cheered with chants of ‘Well played Laura’, as she disappeared down the tunnel, a solitary figure framed in gold confetti and fading floodlights. Because sometimes, greatness doesn’t shout. It just stays still long enough for the world to notice.</p>

The Laura Wolvaardt effect: The heartbeat of South Africa’s World Cup story

When Harmanpreet took that sensational catch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk, India’s roar took over the night sky in Navi Mumbai. The camera quietly drifted to a corner of the South African dugout. Amid the blinding confetti and chaos of celebration sat Laura Wolvaardt — motionless, expressionless, almost detached from the frenzy around her. There was no dramatic collapse of emotion, no visible heartbreak. Just a still figure in green, shoulders set, eyes heavy with reflection. It was an image that said everything about the captain and the team she led — composed in defeat, resilient in spirit, and dignified in heartbreak. For South Africa, this World Cup was not about the trophy they missed; it was about how close they came, and how they refused to break after being broken once before. From 69 all out to the World Cup final South Africa’s 2025 campaign began with humiliation. Early in the group stage, they were bundled out for 69 — a collapse so severe it seemed to rip the air out of their ambitions. Critics wrote them off, fans turned anxious, and whispers of another early exit began to swirl. But within the camp, Wolvaardt held the line. There were no rousing speeches or dramatic team meetings — just quiet accountability. “We’ll come back stronger,” she was quoted as saying to the press that evening. It sounded like a cliche at the time. Weeks later, it became prophecy. The Proteas regrouped. They restructured their middle order, leaned on their experienced campaigners — Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, and Ayabonga Khaka — and rediscovered their competitive edge. One win followed another. A tight chase here, a bowling masterclass there. Slowly, the tournament began to tilt. The captain who anchored through the storm For years, Laura Wolvaardt has been South Africa’s most stylish and technically sound batter — all poise and precision, her cover drives the envy of every purist. But this World Cup transformed her from a run-maker into a leader. At 26, she carried not only the burden of expectation but also the responsibility of a nation’s hopes in transition. Under her watch, South Africa didn’t just play cricket — they believed again. In the semi-final against England, she produced one of the most commanding innings in the tournament’s history — a 169-run epic that bulldozed England's bowling line-up and booked South Africa’s maiden ticket to an ODI World Cup final. It wasn’t just an innings; it was an announcement. “She makes batting look like breathing,” a commentator said that day. It wasn’t hyperbole. Every shot, every glide through the covers, every moment of stillness between balls — it was textbook and yet deeply personal, the mark of a player who has learned to balance grace with grit. Watch Mandhana-Laura heartwarming moment

<p>South Africa women's cricket team rose from a 69-all-out collapse in group stage to the World Cup final under Laura Wolvaardt’s quiet leadership and her unforgettable century in defeat</p>

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The Laura Wolvaardt effect: The heartbeat of South Africa’s World Cup story