South Africa Under-19 Women have booked their place in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final after a five-wicket victory over Australia U19 Women on Friday.
After being sent in to bowl first, the Junior Proteas made an early attack as Nthabiseng Nini struck with the very first delivery to dismiss opener, Ines McKeon.
However, the standout performance came from Ashleigh van Wyk, whose remarkable spell of 4/17 in three overs dismantled Australia’s batting lineup. With wickets falling at regular intervals, South Africa restricted Australia to 105/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 106 for victory, opener Jemma Botha (37), captain Kayla Reyneke (26) and Karabo Meso (19) ensured a comfortable run chase, reaching the target with 11 balls to spare.
Van Wyk, who was named Player of the Match, reflected on her performance: “I kept myself calm by breathing after each ball, staying present in the moment, and reminding myself and my teammates that every ball is an event. I stuck to what has been working for me and followed the team plan throughout the tournament, backing myself and the hard work we have put in over the last 18 months.
“You always need support to achieve victory. It’s never just about what I do, t’s about the way my teammates and management back me. That support allows me to play with heart and without regrets, whether things go my way or not.
“As a team, we rely on our management for mental preparation but the key to lifting the trophy is playing for each other. We back each other, celebrate each other’s successes as if they were our own and function as a family and a unit,” she concluded.
South Africa will now face India U19 Women at the Bayuemas Oval in the final on Sunday.
South Africa U19 Women Squad
Kayla Reyneke (Captain, Western Province), Jemma Botha (Western Province), Fay Cowling (Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Titans), Simoné Lourens (Titans), Karabo Meso (Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Free State), Diara Ramlakan (Lions), Diedré van Rensburg (Dragons), Mieke van Voorst (Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Storm), Chanel Venter (Titans).
Non-travelling Reserves
Lethabo Bidli (Lions), Keamogetswe Chuene (Lions), Jenna-Lee Lubbe (Lions), Jané Verhage (Titans), Sinelethu Yaso (Western Province).
Management
Dinesha Devnarain (Head Coach), Marcia Letsoalo (Team Manager), PJ Jansen (Batting Coach), Angelique Taai (Bowling Coach), Trisha Chetty (Fielding Coach), Adele van Eck (High-Performance Analyst), Dr Dhavina Naidoo (Team Doctor), Esther Bhengu (Physiotherapist), Stacey-Lee Hercules (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Terrence Adonis (Educator), Alungile Nyakambi (Media Specialist).
SA U19 Women Group Fixtures
Saturday, 18 January @ 8.30am SAST - 1st Match: New Zealand v South Africa (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – South Africa won by 22 runs (DLS Method).
Monday, 20 January @ 8.30am SAST - 2nd Match: South Africa v Samoa (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – South Africa won by 10 wickets.
Wednesday, 22 January @ 8.30am SAST - 3rd Match: South Africa v Nigeria (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – South Africa won by 41 runs (DLS Method).
Super Six Stage
Saturday @ 8.30am SAST- South Africa v Ireland (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – South Africa won by seven wickets.
Tuesday @ 4.30am SAST- South Africa v USA (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – Match abandoned.
Semi-finals
Friday @ 4.30am SAST - South Africa v Australia (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) – South Africa won by five wickets
Friday @ 8.30am SAST - India v England (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) – India won by nine wickets
Sunday, 2 February @ 8.30am SAST - Final - South Africa v India (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur)
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