She’s your Proteas Women Captain, stepping into the role for the first time in a World Cup setting. She’s the Proteas Women opening batter who aims to lead by example against competing teams. She’s the 2023/24 Cricket South Africa Player of the Year. She’s Laura Wolvaardt.
Leading from the front, Laura is a calm yet impactful force both on and off the field. As Captain of the Proteas Women, her approach embodies a balance of composure and determination, guiding her teammates through the intense pressures of the current ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
Drawing from her own journey, Laura embraces the challenges of preparation and strategy, fostering an environment within the team where every player feels empowered to contribute.
Her commitment to leading by example, combined with an ‘Always Rising’ approach, helps cultivate a unified spirit within the squad, reminding them that they are not just playing for themselves but for each other, their country, and the future of women’s cricket in South Africa.
SportsClub Magazine caught up with Laura in Dubai for an exclusive interview, and this is what she had to say…
Prestige: As the captain of the Proteas Women, what emotions are you experiencing as you step into this leadership role, and how do you plan to inspire your teammates on this journey?
Laura: It’s a massive honour to be captaining the Proteas at a World Cup. It’s my first time, and it’s very different from a regular series. Preparing for multiple and varied teams is quite a challenge, involving a lot of hard work with prep and analysis. In terms of inspiration, it’s tough. I try to lead from the front, doing my best with the bat and always putting the team first. I’ve also been trying to give motivational speeches before we take the field. Overall, it’s a special moment for all of us, and I feel honoured to be here.
Prestige: Reflecting on your journey to becoming a prominent opening batter, can you share a pivotal moment or challenge that shaped your career and prepared you for this World Cup?
Laura: I had a tough start to my T20 career. I opened the batting initially but didn’t do much in my first few games. I was eventually dropped and had to work on my T20 game. I was more of an ‘early eye’ player at first, but working my way back into the team, batting at number four or five, helped me improve. The spread field allowed me to ease into my innings, and I did a lot of work on power-hitting and strike rotation behind the scenes. That journey was essential for my T20 development, and I believe it made me work harder and sharpen my skills.
Prestige: What strategies do you believe are essential for leading your team in high-pressure situations?
Laura: The most important thing in a World Cup is staying calm and present in the moment. It’s easy to get caught up thinking about future games, results, or what happens if we lose to a certain team. But all that really matters is the current moment and the current ball. My main message to the team has been to stay present and calm. T20 cricket can be chaotic, so it’s crucial to take a moment to slow the game down and remain focused.
Prestige: You are described as a calm leader on the pitch – how do you think your calmness inspires your teammates?
Laura: I’m not sure if my calmness inspires them directly, but it helps create an environment where everyone can perform at their best. I don’t think anyone benefits if I lose my temper or become stressed out. Even if I’m not calm inside, I try to project calmness. It’s important in a tournament like this, where it’s easy to get swept up in the pressure, the run rate, and the scores. Staying composed is key to avoiding unnecessary pressure.
Prestige: How do you balance the expectations of being a captain with your personal performance as an opening batter?
Laura: I think captaincy has actually helped my batting. Before, I used to overthink my own game, focusing on what I needed to do to score. But as captain, I’m more focused on bowling plans, conditions, and how I can help the team win. Thinking less about myself and more about the team has improved my performance. I’m less worried about my own game now, and that’s been beneficial.
Prestige: Looking ahead to the tournament, what message do you want to convey to fans and aspiring young cricketers about the significance of this World Cup for the Proteas Women?
Laura: I’d say, support us as much as you can. In the last World Cup, we had an incredible tournament, reaching the final at home, which was special. We’ve made significant strides since then, with the introduction of domestic contracts. We have a young squad, and despite some retirements, we’re on the rise. Anything can happen in T20 cricket. Hopefully, we’ll have another chance to reach the final, so keep supporting us. Even though we’re far from home, we feel that support from our fans.
“Even though we’re far from home, we feel that support from our fans.”
Prestige: Can you share a memorable moment from your cricketing journey that still inspires you today?
Laura: The most memorable moment of my career was the World Cup final at Newlands last year. It’s my home city and my home ground. Having everyone I knew in the stands that day was incredibly special. Getting a taste of nearly winning a World Cup inspires me, knowing that we have the potential to reach that stage again.
Prestige: How do you stay connected with your teammates outside of cricket, and why is that important for team dynamics?
Laura: It’s really important to stay connected off the field. On the field, you need complete trust in each other’s abilities, and that trust doesn’t just appear when you step onto the field. It starts off the field. We check in with each other during downtime to make sure everyone is doing well, especially during long tours away from home. It’s important to keep that bond strong.
Prestige: What has been the most rewarding aspect of representing South Africa on the international stage?
Laura: It’s been incredible to see how much the women’s game has developed since I started playing. When I began, there were hardly any contracts, and we weren’t nearly as professional as we are now. The last few months, in particular, have felt big for women’s cricket with more coaches, equal match fees, and domestic contracts. It’s an honour to be part of that journey and help grow the women’s game in South Africa. It’s special to see more young girls taking up the sport.
“It’s an honour to be part of that journey and help grow the women’s game in South Africa.”
Prestige: Who is Laura outside of cricket, and what do you enjoy doing?
Laura: I spend a lot of time playing or watching cricket, but outside of that, I’m pretty laid-back. I enjoy reading, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, and having coffee and brunch. I live near the beach in Blouberg, so I love spending time there. Family is also really important to me, and I try to spend as much time as possible with them when I’m home.
Prestige: The team adopted a special key message, “Always Rising, For Her, For Me, For Them, For All, For South Africa, For The Proteas.” What does this mean to you?
Laura: “Always Rising” is a great campaign because it reflects how we can rise to any occasion or overcome setbacks. Cricket is unpredictable – you can do all the preparation and still get out for a first-ball duck. It’s important to keep rising, especially when things don’t go your way. It’s very relevant to the game we play.
As the World Cup final takes place later today, fans can look forward to seeing Laura’s dedication translate into an unforgettable journey for the Proteas Women.
Pic Credit: Gallo Images
