South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt says she has not forgotten how to bat, despite a quiet run with the willow at the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup. Speaking ahead of the semi-final against England at The Oval, Wolvaardt admitted her form has been below her own standard this tournament, though she remains confident of turning things around.
Wolvaardt, who has been the leading run-scorer across the last three white-ball World Cups, currently sits fourth on South Africa’s run charts this tournament and 25th overall. Tazmin Brits has scored a hundred, Marizanne Kapp has produced a match-winning innings, and Annerie Dercksen has struck at 135.29 with a half-century. Wolvaardt, by contrast, has struggled to find rhythm at the top of the order.
Wolvaardt admits frustration with her own form
“I’m probably a bit annoyed with my tournament because I felt like I was in pretty good form coming into the competition and then had a couple of frustrating knocks,” Wolvaardt said at the pre-match press conference. She pointed out that her batting technique has not changed and put the dip down to mindset rather than method. “It’s probably just a bit of a mindset thing,” she said, adding that she may be trying to hit the ball too hard under the pressure of a World Cup.
Her form heading into the tournament had been excellent. In a five-match series against India two months ago, which South Africa won 4-1, Wolvaardt scored three fifties, including a 92 not out, and a century. She said she plans to reflect on what worked during that series ahead of the semi-final.
Wolvaardt also addressed the change in her opening partnerships during the tournament. She began the competition batting alongside Sune Luus and struggled to rotate strike during the powerplay. With Brits returning as her opening partner, Wolvaardt appeared more cautious, as though guarding her wicket in case the middle order faltered.
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South Africa’s shaky group stage run
South Africa reached the semi-final despite an unconvincing group stage. They lost their only defeat heavily, against Australia, then won three straight matches while facing pressure throughout. They lost eight wickets chasing 126 against Pakistan, needed a late Kapp innings to beat India, comfortably beat Netherlands, and lost six wickets chasing 118 against Bangladesh.
South Africa’s net run rate for the group stage stands at 0.633, well below India’s 1.718. Wolvaardt acknowledged the pattern of slow starts, noting the team let Pakistan slip to 50 for 8 and Bangladesh to 14 for 2 without closing out the matches earlier than they eventually did.
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Team looks to repeat past semi-final recoveries
Wolvaardt pointed to history as a source of reassurance. South Africa lost their opening match at the 2023 T20 World Cup before reaching the final, and also lost their first match at the 2025 ODI World Cup before advancing to that final as well.
“The good thing is that we find a way to show a bit of resilience and to end up making the semis,” Wolvaardt said. She added that winning consecutive matches against strong opposition reflected a consistency the side has been working toward, and said she hopes South Africa can maintain that form for two more matches at The Oval.
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