By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 03, 2025, 10:31 pm
**South Africa Captain Laura Wolvaardt Defends Team’s Performance in ICC Women’s World Cup Opener**
South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt has defended her team’s disappointing performance in their ICC Women’s World Cup opener against England. The match, played in Guwahati, saw South Africa bowled out for a mere 69 runs — their third-lowest total in women’s ODIs. The team suffered a heavy 10-wicket defeat.
Wolvaardt attributed the poor showing to “one of those days where the top order and middle order failed on the same day.”
### Team Resilience: No Blame on the Pitch
Wolvaardt was quick to dismiss any suggestions that the pitch conditions contributed to the collapse.
“I think our prep has been good, I don’t think there were too many demons in the pitch,” she said after the match. “It was just one of those days where everyone went out early, and that happens in cricket sometimes. It was not a pitch that we were super foreign to. We spent a lot of time in these conditions in the last couple of months, so definitely wouldn’t put it on the wicket.”
### “We Are Much, Much Better Than 69 All Out”
Despite the crushing defeat, Wolvaardt remains confident in her team’s abilities.
“We are much, much better than 69 all out. As a group, we just need to put it behind us as quickly as we can and move forward, because if we’re going to take that into the next game, it’s going to be a very long tournament for us.”
### Preparation and Game Plan Against Left-Arm Spin
Ahead of the match, South Africa’s batting coach Baakier Abrahams closely monitored Wolvaardt’s preparation against left-arm spin. Net bowlers varied their angles, bowling from wide of the crease to challenge her footwork and shot selection.
However, despite these preparations, Wolvaardt was dismissed early — caught off a return catch in the second over by England’s Sophie Ecclestone. This early dismissal set the tone for South Africa’s innings as they lost four wickets within the first 31 balls.
### Middle Order Under Scrutiny
South Africa’s middle order, despite a strong ODI batting record since 2023, came under intense scrutiny following this match.
Wolvaardt, however, defended her middle order unit. “I don’t think that we have any trouble in our middle order at the moment,” she explained. “It’s just one of those days where both top order and middle order didn’t fire.”
### Looking Ahead: Upcoming Match Against New Zealand
South Africa will face New Zealand in their second World Cup match on October 6 in Indore. The team will be looking to bounce back strongly and prove their mettle on the international stage.
Despite the setback, Wolvaardt remains optimistic about her team’s potential. She is focused on moving forward and is eager for the upcoming challenges in the tournament.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/wolvaardt-says-her-side-is-better-than-69-all-out/story
