South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt has urged her side to keep their cool as they prepare for their semi-final match at the 2025 Women's World Cup against England. The game is set for Wednesday, October 29, at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. Laura pointed out that the challenge would be a "battle of the minds" rather than a test of the players' abilities and thus, the key to success would be to maintain one's composure.
Proteas focus on mindset, not just skills, says Laura Wolvaardt
The Proteas suffered a 10-wicket loss against England in their opening game of the tournament but recovered with five wins in a row. Their last league match, however, ended in a seven-wicket loss to Australia due to Alana King's seven-wicket haul. Wolvaardt, who is also called the Player of the Tournament, emphasised that the team handling the pressure best will win the semi-final.
“I think we've played some really good cricket throughout the tournament. It's definitely not a skill thing. Most of our discussions leading up to tomorrow have been about ensuring we're in the right mental state, really believing in our preparation, and trusting our skills and what we've done before,” Wolvaardt said at the pre-match press conference.
She added, “We know as a group that we are really talented, and if we stay calm out there, we have a very good chance of winning. England is under pressure too — everyone in a semi-final feels it. It’s whoever handles that the best and focuses on the positives from the tournament who will succeed.”
Wolvaardt has been South Africa’s standout batter in the tournament, scoring 301 runs in seven matches at an average of 50.16, including three half-centuries. The Proteas will aim to overturn their semi-final fortunes after losses in 2000, 2017, and 2022.
