Wolvaardt demands another big statement win

The Proteas women will be targeting a big win in their final ICC Women’s T20 World Cup pool match against Bangladesh at Lord’s on Sunday, to help them get through to the tournament semifinals, according to captain Laura Wolvaardt.

The Proteas are in the group of death, along with table-topping Australia and second-on-the-log India, and currently sit third, with only the top two teams progressing to the knockouts.

The problem is their net run rate, which is vastly inferior to the two teams ahead of them, with Australia on eight points having a huge net run rate of 4.724, while India and the Proteas, both on six points, have net run rates of 2.268 and 0.734 respectively.

If Australia beat India in both sides' final pool match, the Proteas will only need a win over Bangladesh to progress, but if India pull off an upset, the Proteas would need a mammoth win for them to stand any chance of finishing in the top two, as all three teams will end on the same points.

The Proteas Women beef up their Net Run Rate with a solid win 🇿🇦💪#HereForHer | #SSCricket | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/HUDsLELVc6
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 25, 2026

Speaking after a big 88-run win over the Netherlands in their pool match in Bristol on Thursday night, Wolvaardt admitted that there was still plenty of work to do, and a need for some results to go their way.

“We still need a few things to go our way. This big win (against the Netherlands) helps, but I think we need another big win (against Bangladesh) in our next one,” said Wolvaardt.

“We try to take it one step at a time. Obviously winning the game is the most important thing. But if we find ourselves in with a chance to win big, I think we will try our best to do that and hope a few things go our way.”

MILESTONE FOR BRITS

In the match against the Netherlands the Proteas were powered by opener Tazmin Brits, who smashed her first ever T20 century, finishing on 114 off 69 balls (15x4; 3x6) in her teams 209-1.

The Netherlands started well in their chase and were at one stage on 100-1 in the 15th over, before the Proteas finished strong to limit them to 120-8, with Chloe Tryon, 2-16, and Ayabonga Khaka, 3-19, the pick of the bowlers.

WHAT A KNOCK! pic.twitter.com/dA0ovEOzr0
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) June 25, 2026

“It was a pretty decent effort with the bat. I think we identified (quite early) that it was a good wicket to bat on, so we just tried to go as hard as we could up front. I think you’re always going to be critical and want more, but Taz batted excellently and it was great how she held the innings together,” said Wolvaardt.

“I think we brought it back really nicely. In the powerplay their batters got off to a really good start, but we saw the pace-off stuff was working so made a few changes.

“The spinners controlled the middle (overs) really well and Nadine (de Klerk) and Aya (Khaka) went pace off as well which worked nicely and helped us gain some control back.”

Brits was very pleased to get over the three-figure mark in T20Is for the first time, having come close against India last year when she struck an unbeaten 98, but said that her focus was more on the team than her personal milestone.

“I wish I could say it was one of those innings that I remember everything, but I can’t remember too much. I’d say going over extra (cover) was what I enjoyed most, as I have been working on my off-side game more, so to get that right was great,” said Brits.

“I didn’t even realise I was close to that (milestone) to be honest with you. I just wanted to try and get us to 200, so that was the main goal. But I am very chuffed, it’s nice to do that, especially at a World Cup.”