Laura Wolvaardt Says Belief Is Growing as Proteas Women Open World Cup Bid
South Africa carry real expectation into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with captain Laura Wolvaardt and head coach Mandla Mashimbyi adamant the side now has the belief to turn near misses into a maiden title, as the Proteas Women open their campaign against Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
After reaching the final in 2023 and again in 2024 without lifting the trophy, the Proteas Women travel to England as a team being spoken about, for the first time, as a genuine contender. Wolvaardt said the change in mood back home had altered the feel of this campaign.
“In previous editions it almost felt like a bit of a surprise when we got in the final, and we never really went into the tournament as any kind of favourites,” Wolvaardt said.
“But this time, especially back at home, it feels like a sense that people want us to go all the way and to win the World Cup.”
Proteas Women Captain, Laura Wolvaardt
Rather than weighing on the group, she said the expectation had hardened its self-belief. “It’s also kind of given the group a sense of belief that if all these people are saying we can actually win the comp, then surely we can,” she said. “I think the group really believes that we have the talent in the room to win the tournament.”
Mashimbyi, leading the side at a global tournament for the first time, has framed the challenge around the Proteas Women writing their own story rather than measuring themselves against more decorated rivals.
“Teams like Australia, England, West Indies, they’re trying to protect their history. We want to create history. They’re protecting their legacy. We want to create legacy.”
Proteas Women Head Coach, Mandla Mashimbyi
He was unmoved by outside opinion on where his team ranks. “You can’t blame a person thinking that we’re not the favourites because other teams have done it and we still haven’t done it,” Mashimbyi said. “So we need to change that narrative. And the only way to change that narrative is to make sure that we go all the way this time around.”
The opener pits South Africa against an Australian side that, while no longer reigning champions in either white-ball format, remains the benchmark. Wolvaardt was clear-eyed about the task. “I think we’re going to have to play some very good cricket to beat them,” she said. “I’m sure they haven’t really won World Cups recently, but I think they’re still pretty good and they’ve got all bases covered, so we’ve got to be at the top of our game.”
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Mashimbyi declined to read anything into Australia’s recent results. “All I know is that Australia is a world-class team,” he said. “Whether they’re going through a transition or not, I don’t care. I just want to make sure that our girls believe that they can beat them.”
Preparation has centred on adapting to English conditions, which both coach and captain expect to differ markedly from home. “You don’t normally get quick wickets in England,” Mashimbyi said. “If you’re used to playing cricket in Australia and South Africa, you can’t expect the same type of conditions here.” To assist, the management has brought in a locally based coach, Johan Myburgh, whose knowledge of English grounds Wolvaardt said had already proved valuable in planning bowling changes and reading conditions.
The build-up included warm-up fixtures against Australia and New Zealand, the latter offering what Wolvaardt described as a timely jolt. “I think we were in a position to probably win that game and then let it slip a little bit with the ball,” she said. “Sometimes it’s good to have a game like that pre-tournament just to wake you up a little bit before the real thing.”
Much of the attention has fallen on the bowling, where the return of Shabnim Ismail, alongside fellow senior recalls Marizanne Kapp and Dané van Niekerk, has lifted the group. Wolvaardt said Ismail had slotted straight back in. “It sort of feels like she’s never left,” she said. “She’s still bowling nice and quick as well, so having her as an option in the power play is going to be very nice for me as a captain. To have her opening the bowling is going to be awesome in this tournament.”
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Wolvaardt has carried strong form into the tournament, which she puts down to a more positive approach. “I’ve just lately tried to be a bit more brave with the bat,” she said.
“The more positive you are, sometimes things just go your way.”
With a settled captain, a coach the group plainly trusts and a strengthened attack, the Proteas Women begin a pool campaign that takes them from Manchester to Birmingham, then on to meet India, the Netherlands and Bangladesh. The message from the camp is one game at a time, but the belief underneath it is unmistakable.
The Proteas Women Squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans)
Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions)
Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers)
Shabnim Ismail (DP World Lions)
Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions)
Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions)
Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
Karabo Meso (DP World Lions)
Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
The Proteas Women Group Fixtures at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales
Sat 13 June, 15h30: South Africa vs. Australia (Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wed 17 June, 19h30: South Africa vs. Pakistan (Edgbaston, Birmingham)
Sun 21 June, 15h30: South Africa vs. India (Old Trafford, Manchester)
Thu 25 June, 19h30: South Africa vs. Netherlands (Bristol County Ground, Bristol)
Sun 28 June, 11h30: South Africa vs. Bangladesh (Lord’s, London)
All times are SAST.
Main Photo Caption: Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt leads South Africa into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as the side chases a maiden title, with belief growing in the camp after back-to-back final appearances, at the Captain’s Carnival at Waterloo Bridge in London, England, on 8 June 2026. All Photos: Cricket SA
Photo 2 Caption: Laura Wolvaardt trains as she backs the Proteas Women’s belief that the talent in the room can win the T20 World Cup.
Crédito: Link de origem