Women’s Cricket World Cup Final: Nadine de Klerk on the South African spirit that never dies

De Klerk represents solidity to a South African side that has held them to good stead in recent times, leading them to the T20 World Cup finals.

In 2023, they toppled England thanks to De Klerk’s bowling with a brilliant four-wicket haul by 1-17. Last year saw Australia shock the UAE.

“We’ve definitely moved away from ‘We’re going to shine in the World Cup and hopefully we’ll give one or two teams a good run for their money’. Now we really feel like we’re really competing,” she told BBC Sport.

Although South Africa lost on both occasions in the subsequent final, De Klerk knew defeat was looming: “Last year, losing to New Zealand in the World Cup final broke a lot of hearts, and it was very emotional for a long time afterwards. So I think it’s [winning] “It would change women’s cricket in South Africa.”

After being bowled out on 69 by England in the opening match of the tournament, South Africa recorded five straight wins for the first time in their history, propelling them towards the quarter-finals.

Once there, they destroyed England by 125 runs. They are on a roll.

Speaking about her batting exploits in the group stage, de Klerk adds: “It’s part of my DNA that I’m very feisty, very aggressive and I hate to lose. When I’m on a cricket field, I never feel like it’s over.”

“Even if we need 12 or 14 [runs an over]I don’t feel like it’s over. If you have wickets in hand and batting at the crease anything can happen.”