As excitement builds ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, South Africa’s national team, the Proteas, embarks on their journey to the subcontinent armed with renewed confidence and a wealth of experience. Having made impressive runs to the semi-finals in the last two editions of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and finals in the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, the team is poised to turn their hard-earned knowledge into success on the world stage.
Veteran opening batter Tazmin Brits, a crucial player for the Proteas, expressed a strong belief in their capabilities. “I’ll always back us; if you don’t back your own team, then you’re not heading in the right direction,” she stated with conviction. These sentiments resonate with the team, reflected in their intense self-examination and strategic preparations. Brits added, “We’ve looked at a few things, and I think our combinations are good. In general, we’ve definitely been a bit stricter on ourselves to do what we need to do.”
Despite enduring heartbreak in previous final matches, Brits emphasised the significance of those experiences. “We’ve been to two finals, yes, but it’s time that we maybe get over the line. And I back our team to do that. I definitely think being in two finals makes a difference. We know what we’re capable of and what it takes in order to win that final,” she declared, embodying the spirit of resilience that characterises the team.
Brits enters the tournament in exceptional form, having demonstrated her prowess at the crease with two One Day International (ODI) centuries against the West Indies and India in recent outings, capped off by a career-best Twenty20 International (T20I) score of 98 not out in June. In a remarkable three-day period, she accomplished consecutive centuries, including a stunning 171 not out that highlights her capability to anchor the innings as she possibly approaches the twilight of her career.
“People say I’m in good form,” Brits reflected. “Sometimes when you hit the ball like that, you don’t always realise what you’re doing. It’s more like a flow.” Yet, Brit insists that her motivation remains driven by a desire to excel. “I’m very critical of myself. I always think I need to work hard, and I need to do better and hopefully I can do that at this World Cup. I want to get a few of them so I can put the team in a good position.”
With goals firmly set on achieving lofty totals, Brits voiced her belief in the team’s potential to chase high scores. “If we can put our team in a good spot, we’ve got the resources to chase scores of 300 or 330. I definitely think we’re capable of that.”
