The turnaround: Sune's South Africa dream after nightmare start
South Africa skipper looks back on dramatic path to final four | Women's T20WC 2023
Sune Luus of South Africa discusses her team’s topsy-turvy journey through the group stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
Skipper Sune Luus cut a forlorn figure on the tournament's opening night back on 10 February after the Proteas fluffed their lines, losing to Sri Lanka by three runs.
"We thought 129 or chasing 130 was a par score. I don't feel like they ran away with the game, I thought we were always going to be able to chase that.
"Even 140, 150 on this wicket with that nice bounce and the ball coming onto the bat nicely."
Sri Lanka stun South Africa in tournament opener | Match Highlights
Match highlights of Sri Lanka holding off hosts South Africa in the Group 1 opener at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Stunned by Chamari Athapaththu and her cavalry of bowlers, the defeat compounded South Africa's problems, with questions of Dane van Niekerk's absence from the squad still lingering. A comprehensive win against New Zealand straightened the Proteas' path and propelled their net run rate, before the White Ferns became allies, thumping Sri Lanka in convincing fashion to open up the group.
Australia blazed away to the top, including a win against the Proteas, though the green and gold dominance helped the hosts, as net run rate proved to be the difference.
As it turned out, South Africa had fate in their own hands come the final group stage game against Bangladesh at Newlands, the site of their stage fright on day one.
Keeping Bangladesh to 23/2 in the Powerplay, Marizanne Kapp and Nonkululeko Mlaba conceded just six and seven from their first two overs respectively, tightening the screws in the middle overs. Kapp (2/17 off four) and Ayabonga Khaka (2/21 off four) were clever with their changes of pace, as the hosts bowled a total of 47 dot balls to hold Bangladesh to 113.
South Africa were a tad conservative in response, maybe with the nerves of a semi-final spot on the line, though Laura Wolvaardt (66*) and Tazmin Brits (50*) scurried in the latter stages to eventually chase the target down unbeaten and with 13 balls to spare.
South Africa beat Bangladesh to reach semi-finals | Women's T20WC 2023
Match highlights as South Africa delivered under pressure to seal a victory against Bangladesh and qualify for the semis at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Newlands nightmares of 11 days ago were put to bed, and South Africa now dare to dream of lifting the trophy there, and on home soil, come 26 February.
After the disappointment from the first game of the tournament, Luus looked ahead to the team's opportunity.
"It's the first one (Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa) as well, so it's awesome.
"I don't think this opportunity comes very often.
"Friday, three o'clock. I know Cape Town doesn't work past two on a Friday, so hopefully, everyone is here."
Complimenting their versatile bowling attack, where Luus can call on over half the team with overs, the Proteas' opening pair of Wolvaardt and Brits must accelerate with the bat for a successful late run.
Wolvaardt is under no illusions that improvements must be made to challenge England on Friday.
"I think our batting unit still hasn't fired quite as yet.
"Overall, we've lost a lot of wickets in patches. It was nice to get a win there, and for Taz and I to get some runs and some confidence, but I think overall, we're still looking to get better with the bat.
"Hopefully we have a full crowd. I must say the crowds have been amazing so far over here, I never thought I'd see a crowd like this at Cricket in Cape Town. So, it's been really special for me."