White Ferns set to be a test of character for Proteas Women after Guwahati ‘blowout’

Legendary Blue Bulls flyhalf Naas Botha famously said: "The Currie Cup isn't won in May."

Equally World Cups aren’t lost in the opening game, ask Argentina's football maestro Lionel Messi, which is why the Proteas Women’s team will attempt to move on quickly from their embarrassing tournament opener when they face New Zealand in Indore on Monday. 

If there are any positives to take from being bowled out for a record-low 69, before being thrashed by 10 wickets with 215 balls remaining, is the simple fact that it can't get any worse.

“I think because it's such a long tournament, I think for us as a team and also as a batting unit, it's just to accept what has happened,” said Proteas wicket-keeper Sinalo Jafta, who was the only Proteas batter to pass double figures against England. 

“I mean, Laura has kept saying we don't become a bad batting unit overnight. We literally have another game. You can’t ponder on one performance. I think for us, as a batting unit, it's to literally knuckle down and just bat. Don't think too much about the outcome. 

“Obviously homework was done and now we're just looking forward to the next one. Just take it one ball at a time.”

The Guwahati ‘blowout’, as Jafta referred to the batting collapse, was certainly not due to a lack of preparation. 

Both as a unit, and individually, the batters spent hours in the build-up with specialist coach Baakier Abrahams going through their plans. The team had also been on two tours to the subcontinent and one to the Caribbean where they encountered spinning conditions. 

Jafta, therefore, feels that the Proteas need to show an improvement not only on their skills levels against the White Ferns, but also after a long look in the mirror take accountability for their own game.

“I think when you look at how we went about things, I think we were a bit rushed,” she said. 

“I think we weren't really present at that moment in time. And I think when you go back and probably from my personal side, I don't think I was really present in that delivery I went out.

“So, I think it's just being honest and saying it wasn't a good day out. 

“I think it's going to be the character of the team. Are we willing to dig deep? I mean, we came from Pakistan. We were able to. 

“And, before that, we were in Sri Lanka. So, we've been playing in these conditions. It's nothing new.  Why can't we just go into a game and just execute?”

There is no quick fix against a Kiwi side that will be equally desperate to get their World Cup up and running after also slumping to a 89-run defeat to Antipodean neighbours Australia in their opener. 

But the Proteas can start with their selection after in-form allrounder Annerie Dercksen was overlooked for the opener. 

Dercksen was a standout performer in the recent Tri-Series in Sri Lanka where the powerful allrounder showed a positive intent at the crease, especially against the spinners. 

The 24-year-old averages 40.10 at a strike-rate of 102.03 in her last 12 ODIs and it's criminal that she’s running the drinks at the World Cup. 

Proteas Women’s World Cup squad

Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase. Reserve: Miané Smit 

Start: 11:30am TV: SuperSport