South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt is channeling the famous mentality of Pat Cummins as he prepares his team to take on host nation India in the Final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. During the pre-match press conference, Wolvaardt stated that his ambition is clear: to guide the Proteas to victory and “silence” the passionate Indian crowd, drawing an evocative parallel with Cummins’ statement ahead of the 2023 men’s final, where his Australian team surprised. India in a packed Ahmedabad stadium.
Laura Wolvaardt ready to ruin the party for the Indian public in the World Cup final
Wolvaardt’s comments reflect a fierce competitive advantage. “I hope we win. I guess that will silence them. Yeah” he commented at the pre-match press conference, emphasizing the Proteas’ focus and confidence in their goal of achieving their first World Cup triumph. The reference to Cummins’ approach underlines South Africa’s determination to block out external pressure and hostile atmospheres, a vital feature in the championship decider.
South Africa’s path to the final has been marked by resilience. They opened the tournament with a dominant 10-wicket defeat against EnglandIt peaked in the middle stages and bounced back strongly to finish third in the group stage. A clinical performance in the semi-final against England, driven by the captain herself and versatile players such as Nadine de Klerkand Marizanne Kapp secured their place in the grand final. This marks a critical opportunity for South Africa to claim their first ICC Women’s World Cup trophy.
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India-South Africa rivalry set for decisive showdown
The story between India and South Africa in the Women’s World Cups adds another dramatic layer to Sunday’s contest. Their head-to-head record remains impressively balanced: 3-3, and South Africa have been victorious in their last three meetings. India’s last victory over the Proteas in a World Cup clash dates back to 2005 in Pretoria, highlighting South Africa’s recent rise in this rivalry.
In this tournament, South Africa already defeated India earlier in the group stage, thanks in part to De Klerk’s outstanding performance. However, Wolvaardt dismissed any suggestion that previous encounters could affect his team’s mentality. “Yeah, I think we’re trying not to think too much about the past. Every cricket game starts at zero. We can’t bring any of our history to this game.” he added, emphasizing a fresh, pressure-ready approach to the final.
The grand final promises a tension-filled competition, with both sides looking to overcome historic barriers: India seeking their first world title on home soil, South Africa fighting for global glory after years of heartbreak. With a crowd expected at the DY Patil Stadium and the weight of expectations high, it will all depend on which team handles the moment best, an issue Wolvaardt clearly acknowledges. “Whoever remains calmest under that pressure will probably emerge victorious tomorrow.”, he concluded.
This article was first published in WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
