Coach of the Proteas Women World Cup side, Dillon du Preez says back to back ICC Women’s T20 World Cup finals shows “there’s consistency there” and the team is heading in the right direction.
Speaking at the Cricket South Africa’s headquarters where media gathered to hear from the team after their runners up finish in Dubai.
There was clearly a tinge of sadness in his eyes despite the Proteas record-breaking effort as runners up. They wanted more, they wanted to bring the trophy home and unite South Africa even further.
“All in all, its not a good feeling but we’ll be okay,” said the coach as he also appreciated the support shown for his team and coaching staff.
Earlier, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, led a jubilant homecoming celebration at OR Tambo International Airport as the Proteas Women arrived from Dubai, proudly welcomed as two-time runners-up at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The atmosphere was one of ubuntu and togetherness as busy travellers, supporters, CSA sponsors, staff and stakeholders came together to honour the team’s remarkable journey.
Photo: Cricket South Africa
The arrivals hall was filled with cheers and applause, as the Proteas Women—despite falling short in the final—were greeted as heroes for their back-to-back appearances in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final. The players were showered with praise for their inspiring performances, showcasing great skill and application in tough conditions in the United Arab Emirates.
Some players, including captain Laura Wolvaardt, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon, couldn’t join the festivities for long, as they immediately departed for Australia to compete in the Women’s Big Bash League.
The excitement of the supporters reflected the growing support for women’s cricket in South Africa. Spectators waved flags and chanted as they celebrated not only the team’s achievement but also the historic moments they created throughout the tournament.
“The Proteas Women may be disappointed not to have secured the trophy, but the pride and excitement in their accomplishments are undeniable. They’ve achieved extraordinary milestones, including being the first senior South African team—male or female—to defeat Australia in a World Cup semifinal,” one supporter at the airport commented. “They’ve made history, and we’re here to show how much they mean to us.”
In a stunning semifinal performance, the Proteas Women knocked out six-time champions Australia, beating them by eight wickets, and halting their 15-year streak of final appearances. Their victory over the tournament favourites was a historic triumph. The last time Australia had lost a game in this tournament was back in 2020 in the opening game of the tournament against India.
The historic win over Australia will largely be remembered for Anneke Bosch’s astonishing innings, a brilliant unbeaten 74 off 48 balls, earning her Player of the Match honours and setting her personal best in the format.
Nonkululeko Mlaba also shone with the ball, taking 12 wickets and becoming South Africa’s leading wicket-taker for the tournament. Though narrowly missing out on Player of the Tournament, Mlaba finished with the most wickets by a South African in a single edition of this tournament.
She told reporters gathered at CSA headquarters: “It was a great tournament for me. I can feel that I keep getting better. But it’s not only for me, it’s also for my teammates. I give them credit as well.”
Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt continued their top-order dominance, combining for 300 runs in the tournament, just as they had in the 2023 edition. Both Brits and Wolvaardt were named in the Tournament Team of the Year, with Wolvaardt captaining the side and opening alongside Brits. Wolvaardt (223 runs) and Brits (187 runs) finished as the top two run-scorers of the tournament.
The vibrant homecoming celebration highlighted how far the women’s game has come. As the Proteas Women reflected on their journey, many took to social media to express their gratitude for the overwhelming support they received, vowing to come back stronger in future tournaments.
Despite the heartbreak of losing to New Zealand by 32 runs in the final, the team was embraced as trailblazers and role models, with their passionate fans ensuring that their achievements will be remembered for years to come.
Supporters, though, still believe that a trophy is around the corner, with fans already looking ahead to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. Until then, there is a definite sense that women’s cricket is on a natural high.
South Africa Results at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, from 3 – 20 October
Fri, 4 Oct: 1st T20I: South Africa beat West Indies by 10 wickets (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Mon, 7 Oct: 2nd T20I: England beat South Africa by 7 wickets (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
Wed, 9 Oct: 3rd T20I: South Africa beat Scotland by 80 runs (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Sat, 12 Oct: 4th T20I: Bangladesh lost to South Africa by 7 wickets (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Thu, 17 Oct: South Africa beat Australia by 8 wickets (with 16 balls rem.) (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
Fri, 18 Oct: New Zealand beat West Indies by 8 runs (Sharjah Cricket Stadium)
Sun, 20 Oct: Final – New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)
The Proteas Women XI for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final against New Zealand in the UAE, on Sunday, 20 October, 2024
Laura Wolvaardt (c)
Tazmin Brits
Anneke Bosch
Marizanne Kapp
Chloe Tryon
Annerie Dercksen
Suné Luus
Nadine de Klerk
Sinalo Jafta (wk)
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Ayabonga Khaka
Main Photo Caption: Despite finishing as runners-up, the Proteas Women were welcomed home with pride for their back-to-back T20 World Cup finals. Representing the team at the presser were (from left) Rihan Richards, CSA Member’s Council President; Proteas Women star bowler, Nonkululeko Mlaba; head coach, Dillon du Plessis; SA opening bat Tazmin Brits, and Enoch Nkwe, Director of Cricket. Photo: gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Coach Du Preez said “there’s consistency there”, and the team is heading in the right direction. Photo: Cricket South Africa
Photo 3 Caption: Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tazmin Brits pictured during the tournament, during which Mlaba because SA’s highest T20 wicket-taker, in World Cups. Photo: gsport
Photo 4 Caption: Batting coach Baakier Abrahams, head coach Dillon du Preez and spin bowling coach, Paul Adams, at the airport as the team arrived home. Photo: gsport
Photo 5 Caption: Suné Luus mentioned that the team was thrilled at the level of support from South Africa. Photo: gsport
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