Anneke Bosch: “It Gives Me An Opportunity to Develop”

Momentum Proteas all-rounder Anneke Bosch is looking forward to her journey with the senior national team after earning her first ever contract.

Bosch’s love for sport began at a very young age, having participated in a number of sports inlcuding netball and tennis.

The Biokineticist and Sport Scientist, who made her debut against Australia in 2016, landed her first Women’s Big Bash League gig with Brisbane Heat in 2020.

Now in 2023, after having missed out on the ICC Women’s Cricket World cup in New Zealand, the 29-year old is a T20 Cricket World Cup silver medallist.

Speaking to gsport writer Oarabile Diphoko, Bosch talks about her journey in sport, the obstacles she has had to overcome and her experience at the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which was held on home soil.

Anneke, thank you for chatting to us. Congratulations on recently signing your first-ever Momentum Proteas contract! What does that mean for you and your career?

Well that’s always been a goal of mine – and not just for the physical contract or whatever comes with it – but to be able to focus solely on cricket, which is something I’ve always wanted. Being able to focus on cricket and not trying to juggle work, studies and cricket all at the same time is something I’m really grateful for. And that’s WHY a person juggles all of this and works really hard and make many sacrifices over the years – so that you’re eventually able to just focus on the thing you love doing most, which is playing cricket. It gives me an opportunity to develop and improve more as a cricketer, to put everything into cricket and to hopefully become the best player I can possibly be.

Where did you love for cricket start?

It started quite early in my life, like primary school or even before that. I loved all sporting codes actually, and throughout my school career I participated in as many different sports as I could and received Provincial colours for Tennis, Netball, Athletics, Swimming, Cricket (SA U19), and Indoor Cricket.

In primary school I always played cricket and rugby (for fun during breaks) with the boys and I have the best memories of playing cricket with my cousins when our families got together during school holidays.

During most of my school career I’d say netball and tennis were actually my favourite – it was only after school that I really got into cricket. I think I chose cricket because I liked the fact that it kind of has elements of both a team sport and an individual sport, whereas netball and tennis is mainly team or individual. My whole family was into sports and my dad was a teacher and coached cricket at the primary school that I went to. I guess part of my love for cricket started through him.

What are some of the challenges you have had to face so far in your career and how did you overcome them?

I think working a full time job as a Biokineticist (7am – 6pm) for 3-4 years after University and still trying to make a career out of cricket was one of the biggest challenges. Luckily I worked for a very understanding/lenient boss and we adjusted my hours a bit after the first year so that I could spend some time on cricket.

I also started studying again while I worked there so balancing cricket, work and studies were tough! I needed to manage my time really well, and I guess the desire that I had to make a career out of cricket is what kept me going. I guess injuries in sport are always a challenge, and I’ve had a few of them over the last 2 years!

In 2021, I had a stress fracture in my foot, and in 2022 I had to get an operation on a broken thumb (which I broke 3 days before leaving to the ODI World Cup) and also had a knee injury later in the year. Before 2021 I never really had any serious injuries, but these last 2 years has given me some perspective and more respect for athletes who come back from injuries! It’s tough and it’s a lot of hard work (behind the scenes) to come back fit and ready, but sitting out and watching from the side-line or on TV was enough motivation for me to do everything that is required to come back from these setbacks.

You recently competed in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that was hosted on home soil. Tell us more about that experience.

It was absolutely amazing! It definitely exceeded all my expectations. It was my first ever World Cup and to experience it on home soil with all the support that we had was incredible. Usually whenever we play international games in SA, it’s mostly only our friends and families in the crowd supporting us, so playing in front of sell-out home crowds was amazing. I don’t think any of us expected that. Singing the national anthem will never be the same again! We were obviously very disappointed after losing that opening game against Sri Lanka, but the way the team stood together and fought back was something really special. We had some incredible individual performances at crucial times in the tournament as well. Being part of history by being the first SA team to make a final of a World Cup is a feeling I can’t quite put into words. I’m so grateful to have been part of that. I also really hope that this achievement will bring a big change to women’s cricket in the country.

What kind of impact do you think the World Cup has had on women’s cricket?

I think the exposure we got in our own country during this World Cup was massive for women’s cricket in the country. It happens often that when I tell people I play cricket, they’ll respond with something like “We didn’t even know SA has women’s cricket”, whereas now, after the World Cup, some players get recognized in public where ever they go! I really hope that all the exposure we got and what we achieved will boost the development and recognition of women’s cricket in SA. Hopefully we can soon also have something similar to the SA20 competition for women.

At the recent special gathering in Melrose held by the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, an incentive of R7,5 million was handed to the Momentum Proteas, as well as R15 million to Cricket South Africa over the next three years towards a professional league. What do you think this entails for the future of cricket in the country?

This is massive for women’s cricket in the country. I think we can now improve our provincial and developmental structures, make women’s cricket more professional, and hopefully get more publicity and exposure for women’s cricket, across all levels. I hope it means that we’ll never struggle to get proper training facilities at provincial level, and that we get more coaches who are invested into and interested in women’s cricket. For us to keep up with the likes of Australia, India and England, I think it’s crucial that we start a league in SA that’s similar to the WBBL, WIPL or The Hundred. We need more women’s cricketers to be exposed to that level of cricket, because at the moment it’s only the 15 national players or those that go on tours that get exposed to that.

What are you most proud of in your journey in sport?

Whenever I get the chance to represent my country is always a really proud moment and feeling. Contributing to the team, in any way, will always make me feel proud. I guess I’m also proud for never giving up when things didn’t always go my way.

Which women in sport do you look up to and why?

Serena Williams – I think she’s one of the greatest athletes of all time. The fact that she’s dominated the sport for so many years is incredible and inspiring. She faced many obstacles throughout her career but still continued to pursue her dreams and remained humble through all her achievements which is something I really admire.

What advice can you give rising stars about the journey ahead and what they should focus on?

Never give up hope and always pursue your dreams. Don’t let anyone get in the way of you achieving your goals. There will be challenges, it will be hard work, there will be disappointments and you’ll have to make some sacrifices, but if it’s really what you want then there’s always a way and it will be worth it. It’s also important to listen to advice (from someone you trust) and to ask for help when needed.

What are your career ambitions?

I’d love to consistently contribute to the team and to make an impact. My ambition is actually just to give it my all and become the best cricketer I possibly can become. I’d love to play professional cricket for as long as possible and to have no regrets the day it’s all over. I also really want to inspire, positively impact, guide and help the younger generation.

Photo 1 Caption: Anneke Bosch talks about her journey in sport, the obstacles that she has had to overcome and her experience of the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which was held on home soil. Photo: Anneke Bosch (Supplied)