South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has sent words of encouragement to the Proteas Women ahead of their crucial ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final clash against India on November 2 in Navi Mumbai. In a video message released prior to the match, President Ramaphosa praised the team for their journey to the final and expressed his pride in their accomplishments. He assured Laura Wolvaardt and her teammates of the nation’s unwavering support as they gear up to face India in their quest for their first major ICC title.
This gesture from the President comes as South Africa gears up for their third consecutive ICC final. The Proteas Women had previously reached the T20 World Cup final in 2023 and the ICC Champions Trophy final in 2024, narrowly missing out on both occasions. For captain Wolvaardt and seasoned players like Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus, the upcoming final in 2025 presents another opportunity to strive for success.
South Africa’s campaign has been defined by resilience and a consistent performance. Following a tough loss to England in their initial match, they displayed a remarkable comeback by clinching five consecutive victories to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Wolvaardt’s impressive 169 runs and Kapp’s five-wicket haul in Guwahati propelled them to a dominant 125-run triumph over England, booking their place in the final showdown.
The final showdown against India is anticipated to be a tightly contested battle. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, triumphed over defending champions Australia in the semi-final and will benefit from playing in familiar home conditions at the DY Patil Stadium. Despite South Africa having an unbeaten record against India in an ODI World Cup since 2005, both teams are entering the final with strong momentum and well-rounded squads. President Ramaphosa’s words serve as an additional source of motivation for the Proteas as they aim to etch their names in history on the upcoming Sunday.