Christchurch
South Africa’s women’s cricket captain Laura Wolvaardt is calling for a “braver” performance as her team shifts focus to the One Day International series against New Zealand. After a tough 1-4 loss in the recent T20 matches, the Proteas are determined to turn their luck around starting this Sunday at Hagley Oval.
The upcoming three-match series is about more than just pride; it carries massive weight for the 2029 ODI World Cup qualification. Wolvaardt admitted the team struggled to find their rhythm in the shorter format but remains confident in their 50-over game. South Africa has been remarkably consistent in ODIs lately, having reached the final of the 2025 World Cup where they narrowly lost to India.
“The points are super important,” Wolvaardt noted during a pre-match meeting. She emphasized that the team wants to secure their spot early in the championship cycle to avoid a desperate scramble later. The squad welcomes back experienced seamers Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas, providing a much-needed boost to the bowling attack.
While the New Zealand “White Ferns” enter the series with high confidence following their T20 dominance, history favors the visitors. South Africa has won four of their last five ODI encounters against New Zealand. Wolvaardt believes that by being more proactive and aggressive from the first ball, her side can put the hosts under pressure and reclaim their winning form on the international stage.