OPINION
Follow UsSouth Africa have featured in six editions of the Women's World Cup but have managed to qualify for the semi-finals only twice. They made it to the semis in 2000 but then had to wait for 17 years to make it through to the final-four stage again. South Africa were pretty good in the 2017 World Cup and lost only two of their league-stage encounters. It felt like South Africa would finally get their hands on the silverware but the Dane van Niekerk-led side lost to England by just two wickets in a closely-fought semi-final.
South Africa will be without van Niekerk (ankle fracture) in the forthcoming showpiece event in New Zealand, starting from March 4, and Sune Luus will lead the side in her absence. They might not have a great record in the World Cup but they have been in phenomenal touch of late. They have played the most number of ODIs (43) since the last World Cup in England and have the second-best win percentage (68.2) after Australia (93.9) in this period. In fact, South Africa have won all of their last five series and have lost only one of their last 20 ODIs, which tells you how consistent they have been in the 50-over format.
"In the past, we have always been seen as the underdogs, but I think we have shown in the past few years that we are a team to be reckoned with. We as a team also had a great T20 World Cup two years ago in Australia and turned some heads. I hope that we do the same this year, and hopefully reach that final that we’ve been missing out on, on three different occasions. We are coming off an extremely good year, and I know that the teams’ confidence is high. This is very exciting for us as a team," said Luus.
Strengths
South Africa have been consistent in all three facets of the game and that’s why they have managed to dominate teams like New Zealand, Pakistan, India and West Indies in the last two years. In the batting department, they will surely miss van Niekerk in the middle-order and will rely a lot on their openers - Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt. Since the 2017 World Cup, Lee and Wolvaardt average 52.9 and have scored the most number of runs (1535 in 34 innings) as an opening pair.
The two batters have done the majority of the scoring for South Africa, while the likes of Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp and Luus too have decent numbers in the middle-order. Overall, South Africa have the third-best batting average (30.6) and second-best ball/wicket (41.3) since the last 50-over World Cup. Their boundary percentage of 44.55 is also the second-best amongst all other eight teams featuring in the forthcoming mega event.
What’s more, South Africa also have the third-best bowling average and economy rate in this time frame. Shabnim Ismail (53 wickets at 21.6), Ayabonga Khaka (51 wickets at 18.7) and Marizanne Kapp (46 wickets at 21.9) have all been consistent and are amongst the top-10 wicket-takers in ODIs since the last World Cup. It’s because of them South Africa have the best economy rate (3.5) and average (23.5) in the powerplay. Hence, the onus will once again be on these three seamers to do the majority of the damage in the bowling department.
Weaknesses
The surfaces in New Zealand have been conducive to high-scoring matches and South Africa could struggle against formidable batting units like Australia, New Zealand, England and India. Amongst all the eight teams featuring in the World Cup, South Africa have the fifth-worst scoring rate since the last showpiece event. Chloe Tryon (111.6), Kapp (89.8) and Lee (81.6) are the only ones with a strike rate of over 80, while the likes of du Preez (73.6), Wolvaardt (68), Trisha Chetty (64.1) and Luus (58.9) have all struggled to score at a decent pace. And, this could hurt them against teams like Australia and New Zealand, especially in the knockouts.
Opportunities
Kapp will have to take more ownership in the absence of spin-bowling all-rounder van Niekerk. The former has been a consistent performer for South Africa in the 50-over format and the team management would want her to bring all her experience into play. The 32-year-old has scored 485 runs in 23 innings since the last World Cup, at a solid average of 37.30 and an impressive strike rate of 89.81. Kapp generally bats in the lower middle-order and will have to take up the responsibility of finishing games for her team. On top of that, the right-arm seamer has also picked up 46 wickets at an average of 21.91 in this time period. Kapp will have to be at her absolute best if South Africa want to win their maiden title.
Threats
With van Niekerk not available, South Africa look slightly thin in the spin department. And, it's all going to boil down to how Luus operates in the World Cup. The legspinner will get some support from left-arm spinners Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tryon but they are not outright wicket-takers. If Luus doesn’t have a great World Cup, South Africa could be found wanting in the spin department. Apart from that, South Africa look sorted and have got all the ingredients to lift their first title.
Squad
Sune Luus (c), Marizanne Kapp, lara Goodall, Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Mignon Du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Taznim Brits, Masabata Klaas, Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Lizelle Lee, Tumi Sekhukhune, Sinalo Jafta.
Fixtures
March 5 - v Bangladesh
March 11 - v Pakistan
March 14 - v England
March 17 - v New Zealand
March 22 - v Australia
March 24 - v West Indies
March 27 - v India
