- By Gurmeet Batra
- Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
India vs South Africa World Cup Final: South African captain Laura Wolvaardt expressed uncontrolled pride in her team's unprecedented campaign in the ICC Women's World Cup, despite falling short against India in the summit clash at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
After the title loss, Wolvaardt highlighted the team's resilience and determination, promising to get stronger in the coming times.
Asked to bat first, India posted a formidable 298/7 in their allotted 50 overs and then skittled out South Africa for 246 in 46.5 overs to win the game by 52 runs and lift their maiden world title.
Despite scoring a magnificent century in the under-pressure game while keeping the team's hopes alive, Wolvaardt ended up on the losing side.
"I could not be prouder of this team for the campaign we had. Brilliant cricket throughout but outplayed today (by India). Unfortunate to be on the losing side but we will definitely grow from this," Wolvaardt said at the presentation ceremony.
On scripting a remarkable tour around from the 69 all out and 97 all out against Australia, Wolvaardt said, "We did so well to put those couple of bad games behind us. We were either really good or really bad, but thankfully more of the really good. Amazing tournament for a lot of the players, and proud of the resilience we showed."
"Probably did not have my best year leading into the World Cup and did not start it well. Overthinking it was not good. It is just another game of cricket, trying to separate the two and that sort of freed me up a bit to play my natural game and then focus on the captaincy at a different time," the South Africa batter added.
Defending her decision to field first after rain spoiled many hours of the game, the Proteas captain said, "We were hoping for a little bit more (swing). There was still something in it, so still feel it was the right call to bowl. We were in it for a lot of the chase but lost too many wickets. I kept checking that scoreboard and they were definitely tracking for 350."
"Back end (bowling) was amazing and we have been amazing throughout. We really felt we could chase it," she added.