Laura Wolvaardt wants Proteas Women to be brave against Pakistan spinners

The Proteas Women’s team are hoping to utilise the ODI series against Pakistan as preparation for the upcoming World Cup on the subcontinent. 

Laura Wolvaardt’s team face off against their familiar foes in three ODI’s, starting today at the Gaddafi Stadium, with both teams looking to fine tune their gameplans. 

“This series is crucial for us. Obviously heading to the subcontinent before the World Cup is a massive opportunity,” Wolvaardt told the media yesterday.

“I think getting used to the conditions, the heat and humidity, obviously coming from winter back home, it's a bit of an adjustment.

“I think we last played together was five/six weeks ago, so to build a bit of momentum heading into a big tournament like that is going to be huge.

“They are a really good side. We’ve had some good battles. I think we’ve come here now for three Septembers in a row. It's a side we really like playing against. Obviously, the conditions suit their attack, so we have to play really good cricket if we want to win the series.”

The major focus for the Proteas’ will be how they counter the Pakistani spinners on the slow subcontinent tracks. It’s been an area they have placed immense focus on during training camps back home and Wolvaardt is keen to see her team’s progress. 

“Obviously, we’ve had a bit of change in terms of coach Mandla (Mashimbyi) coming in,” Wolvaardt said. 

“It’s been a big change in the way we prepare, and do things. We’ve worked a lot on how we play spin, and rotate the strike in the middle overs. We've been pretty good in the Powerplay and at the death, but how do we go about it in the middle phase, to keep ticking over against the quality spinners that they do have.

“So, I’m excited to see all the things we've been working on at camps. We’ve been talking about playing an attacking, brave brand of cricket. So, to be consistent with that type of mindset.”

The two sides will face each other at the World Cup with their clash scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Wolvaardt admitted the World Cup will be a testing experience due to the round-robin format in comparison to group stages at the T20 World Cup. 

“Obviously a very different format, where you play everyone in a round-robin, and not groups like the T20 World Cup,” she said.

“So, we need to play consistent cricket for the entire tournament to make the semifinals and finals. And hopefully if we do get to the final, we can use our experience.”

Proteas Women Squad

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and Pakistan Tour: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon

Start: 12:30pm TV: SuperSport