Follow Us“Sport has the power to change the world.
It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.
It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.
It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”
Twenty-five years ago, South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela delivered that powerful message at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony.
In that same year, 2000, Nonkululeko Mlaba was born in a KwaZulu-Natal township—a place where cricket’s power was nowhere to be found. The sport, long perceived as reserved for others, was an unlikely destiny for the young left-arm spinner.
“Growing up in a black township, cricket was never a thing. So I don't know how my sister and my brother got into cricket, but it was never a thing,” Mlaba told Cricket.com in an exclusive chat.
“The only thing we knew in the township was soccer, and obviously rugby – the main sport that the township people played. People only knew cricket from watching it on TV, where white people were playing when my grandmother was alive.
“Especially to the black community, it doesn't really look like one of the black Africans can play cricket. So it was mainly for white people's sport, from where I'm coming from,” she added.
Yet, at just 13, Mlaba took it upon herself to shatter that perception, picking up the bat and ball and playing for her hometown Lindelani Cricket Club. Two years later, her remarkable rise saw the left-arm spinner playing for the KZN provincial team, quickly growing in stature.
Over the four years, Mlaba, the Imran Tahir fan, went up the ladder so quickly that she found herself in the same dressing room as Dane van Niekerk, Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp. Despite making that quick progress, the left-arm spinner still stuns everyone in the township when she walks back home holding her big cricketing kit bag.
“It's been nice, even though it still wasn't a thing in a township, because whenever they see me carrying this big bag, people are so confused about what's happening. So yeah, only now, I think they come to their senses, or only now they definitely like they know what cricket is because of me.”
“It has been an amazing journey, I won't lie. Because when I look back at where I'm coming from, it hasn't been easy. But through all the hardships and the hard work I've been putting in, it's finally paying off. And I've been enjoying a bit of everything about cricket. It wasn't a sport that I wanted to make my career in.
“But somehow it happened. And I guess that's God's plan. Everything worked out quickly for me, and I've been having a lot of fun and enjoying cricket.”
It wasn’t until 2024 that Mlaba's dominance truly grabbed headlines, as she destroyed record books at the T20 World Cup in Dubai. The left-arm spinner started the tournament by taking a commanding 4/29 against the heavy-hitting West Indian side.
Her tournament run was relentless, as she spun webs around multiple batting units, including a stellar 3/12 against Scotland women, making her the most dangerous bowler to face.
But her most crucial display came in the semi-final against defending champions, Australia, where she picked up 1/31, removing the dangerous-looking Tahlia McGrath, who was just beginning to put pressure back on the Proteas side. Even before she realised, her 10 wickets took South Africa to their first-ever T20 World Cup final, against New Zealand.
"Playing in Dubai was a first for me, and I'd say the conditions were quite similar to home at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in KZN. We actually had a camp there before heading to Dubai because of the similar weather—it's very hot and humid,” the left-arm spinner recalled.
“So, in a way, it wasn't entirely new, as being from Durban, I'm used to those conditions, even though Dubai is more humid. Overall, I had so much fun playing in Dubai. The team was incredibly supportive, and I just loved the experience."
Once they reached the knockouts, South Africa had one of the biggest inspirational figures in the dressing room – Springboks’ captain Siya Kolisi, who, in the past, has been a vocal supporter of women’s sport in the country.
Kolisi’s presence was clearly evident, as the Proteas women’s side did the unthinkable – beat Australia in the semi-final – a feat they never achieved before that famous night in Dubai.
So, what did Kolisi say?
“You know, one thing about Siya [Kolisi] is that guy who supports sports in general, whether it's women or men. It is good to see someone like him, a leader and the captain of the country, supporting women's cricket or women in sport. He always posts about it, talks about it. You know, that's good.
"I really feel like he's inspiring a lot of people to come and support us, which is fantastic. Having him there at the World Cup, talking to us, was a massive motivation boost. He's won two World Cups in a row, so his presence was huge. He's just an amazing guy in general, and he's truly brilliant at what he does."
Mlaba remembers Kolisi’s advice just before the World Cup final against New Zealand, which remains in her heart.
"One thing that he said, obviously, it was the first time making it to the finals... He told us. 'You've already made the country proud. There is no pressure now. You just need to go there and have fun.' I feel like that was the best one because he wasn't really talking about winning,” she remembered.
“Eventually, if we play, if we have fun, we will win. He said you've already made the country proud by making it to the finals. Now just go there and have fun."
While South Africa failed in the final, it was still a watershed moment for the Proteas Women’s side as the 2024 batch set a new precedent for the upcoming generations. Not just that, they act now as the role model for the new-gen girls in the country, who aim to take up cricket as a profession.
"Women’s cricket in South Africa has grown and improved significantly. The biggest change is that players now have professional contracts through the franchise system. This means we don't have to juggle work and cricket anymore; we can focus solely on the game.
This professionalism will undoubtedly lead to a higher standard of play and more talented players for the national team. Equally important is the growing support from home—it's amazing to see the engagement and positive comments on social media. It shows that people are finally taking women's cricket seriously in South Africa," the youngster said.
A year later, South Africa haven’t got off to the best start possible in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, where they were decimated in the opener against England, crumbling like cookies for 69 all-out. But a game later, the same Proteas bested New Zealand despite the latter being in a strong position, at 187/3.
Integral to Proteas’ success? Mlaba, who turned things around in her own fashion, scalped an important 4/40, which included wickets of well-set Brooke Halliday (45 off 37) and Sophie Devine (85 off 98).
What’s the secret for the team?
“We are mentally strong, physically strong. We are united as a team. If we go down, we all go down together. We go up, we all go up together and lift each other. I think that's also what kept us going and what will keep us going as a team. Our mindset is very strong. I feel like no one can break us.”
“Losing is part of the game. It's cricket. You know, cricket is a funny game. Today you win, tomorrow you lose. So, now as a team, we just told ourselves that we will take it one game at a time.
“Especially at the World Cups, I always feel like, at least if we lose, we lose one game. And if we lose that one game, at least we lose it earlier. Because we don't like it to win, win, win, win. And when it's like a final or a semi-final, then we lose. We're so united and no one can break us, whether we win or lose.”
On a personal note, the 25-year-old Mlaba is just beginning the phase at the peak of her powers, having been named as CSA Women’s Player of the Year for 2025, after her remarkable display across formats, including becoming the first-ever South African player to pick up 10 wickets in a Test.
“Definitely, yes, it is a start for greater things for me, especially because I'm still young. I'm 25.
There’s still a lot more to put out there for the team. And there's more inside of me to show the world. And, yeah, I'm just excited for the future.”
"I think my success comes down to a bit of stubbornness... I'm very patient with myself; I don't rush into things, but once that goal is fixed, whether it's today or tomorrow, I'm absolutely going to get it."
With their focus firmly on the ultimate prize, Mlaba and the Proteas women showed their determination in the three-wicket win against India... When asked about her World Cup aspirations, Mlaba simply smiled and stated their mission: 'Have an eye on that trophy.'
One thing’s certain: Mlaba doesn’t want to leave the Proteas women’s setup as she found it. Her ultimate goal is to give back and uplift the future of all the budding young girls who follow.
"Looking at the progress made even since I joined, things are undeniably better now. My goal is to ensure I leave this space even better for the next generation coming up."
Sport has the power to change the world.
And today, Mlaba and the Proteas women are not just inspiring the world; they are actively uniting South Africa in ways we could never have imagined, proving that the game is bigger than the field.