A particular phrase seems apt to describe Marizanne Kapp’s deep reservoirs of willpower – Broken but not beaten. Over the last eight years, Kapp, alongside her teammates, has had to row through enough gut-wrenching losses in ICC tournaments. Be it the 2017 World Cup semifinal, the last-four game in 2020, the summit clash in front of the home crowd in 2023, or the final of the 2024 World Cup in Dubai, the narrative has remained the same. Not able to cross the final few hurdles or the last one.
Despite the heartbreaks, Kapp answered the question on that fateful night at the Dubai International Stadium, where they lost to New Zealand, with a sense of equanimity. “I don’t think we specifically spoke about that (finding the reset button and moving forward from the defeat),” she told RevSportz. “In the past, we never used to make the semifinals, final. And now, having made the semifinals regularly, you get that bit of confidence every single time.
“I think that knowing we have been in the finals in the shorter formats just gives you that bit of confidence, knowing we can go one step further. We know it is a different format. Look, all of us were disappointed. But we know now that we can go further. So, it is not an obstacle that knocks you mentally anymore. But I feel like every incident that you find yourself in those positions, that makes you stronger.”
That was about the team goals. But what about the individual ones? Despite representing South Africa for 16 years, Kapp seems to have the zeal to upskill her game. Just do some number-crunching and you will notice how her career has been on a constant upward curve. In the last three years, she is averaging an astounding 56.11 with the bat in ODIs. And in T20Is, her strike-rate is around 130 in that phase. In comparison, her overall strike-rate is 104.56.
So, what is the secret behind Kapp’s ever-evolving batting skills? “I always enjoyed my batting,” she said. “Back then, when I started with the South African team, I obviously opened the bowling, but I batted in the top four as well. You almost played back to back, batting in the top order and bowling your 10 overs every single game.
“When I moved down the order, I lost a bit of confidence and I kind of gave up on my batting. But it is something that I have enjoyed so much. In the last couple of years, I have started working on my batting. Always felt that I can bat, it just took me a knock or two to get that confidence going against the best in the world. Obviously, it helps playing in these leagues as well.”
So, what was that watershed moment as far as her batting is concerned? “That 150 I scored against England in Taunton (in a Test match) really gave me a lot of confidence,” said Kapp. “I started working out with Kruger van Wyk. He is currently with the South African men’s team as the fielding coach.
“He took me for a few batting sessions, we worked on upping the intensity when I am training. It is probably just a shift in the mindset. Then I started working with Baakier Abrahams (‘Bakes’), he is currently our batting coach. He stays in Port Elizabeth, where I am from. So, it is about changing the mindset, opening up a few options and not being one-dimensional.”
Kapp has also been ultra-consistent with the ball in hand. The experienced cricketer has time and again located the right line and length from ball 1, which is further capsulised by her numbers in the Powerplay overs. Sixty six of her ODI wickets have come in the Powerplay, at an excellent average of 21.7.
At 35, Kapp is the senior-most member of the set-up. With the likes of Tumi Sekhukhune, Nadine de Klerk and Annerie Dercksen in the squad, Kapp is clearly a role model. “I don’t think my role has changed much,” she said. “Obviously, with a few players retiring, it has put a bit more pressure on me. But I always enjoyed doing that. It is about giving my team that good start.
“I may not always be the one that picks up the wickets, but if I can create pressure from my end, then the bowler at the other end can pick up wickets. It is good for the team. We have quite a few youngsters coming up now, good with both the bat and ball. Also, it is good to see them performing.”
As soon as Kapp mentioned the following words – retired players – one couldn’t help but remember Shabnim Ismail. The tearaway fast bowler, who walked away from international cricket in 2023, was a partner-in-crime for Kapp for more than a decade. Ismail could hustle the batter by summoning quick spells. Although Kapp also bowls at a fair clip, her bowling is underpinned by movement in the air and off the seam. Also, the batter had to account for different release points, with one of them having a fairly higher release than the other.
Kapp didn’t just open up on the famed partnership but also on bowling alongside Ayabonga Khaka. “Myself and Shabnim bowled really well,” she said. “Over 10 years, we had such an amazing bowling partnership. She being a full-out pace bowler, and I am a swing bowler. Actually, when we were still playing together, Aya (Khaka), (Moseline) Daniels, (Dane) van Niekerk were our first-change bowlers – the pressure would be kept.
“And that is what made us such a good bowling unit for so many years. Our first-change bowlers were just as good. Look, I have played with Aya for so many years, we know each other well. We understand each other’s plans. Like I said, if I am not picking up the wickets, my job is to plug the pressure, so that we get the wickets at the other end. And vice versa.”
Kapp also has a recollection to share – of all the above-mentioned bowlers bowling in tandem. “If we look at that 2017 World Cup game against the West Indies in England. I think we bowled the West Indies out for something around 40 (48). It was me, Shabnim, van Nierkerk and Aya… we were just relentless.”
When Kapp took up van Niekerk’s name, memories of the latter’s glittering career gushed forth. Van Niekerk and Kapp also tied the knot in July 2018. Van Nierkerk, who is aiming to make a comeback into the South African set-up, has been a pillar of constant support in Kapp’s career. When Kapp plays for Delhi Capitals, van Niekerk can be seen in the stands. When Kapp picked up the wicket of Suzie Bates in the ongoing 50-over World Cup in India, van Nierkerk was up on her feet and cheering her.
On long and arduous tours, where players end up feeling the pressure of performing day in and day out, Kapp and van Niekerk have helped each other to overcome anxieties. “She has always been a wonderful cricketer,” said Kapp. “I enjoyed all the time we spent on the cricket field. She is a very tough competitor.
“The nice thing for me is that when I am preparing for games or World Cups, she always reminds me there is more to life. Everything isn’t about cricket. When it isn’t going great, she is always there to help me out. If I have questions regarding what fields should I have for certain batters, or I am struggling a bit, she is always there. No one will be better than her. She has helped me a lot.”
Soon, the discussion veered towards Kapp’s childhood. A couple of decades ago, there weren’t enough pathways for girls to pursue their aspirations of taking up the game. So, how and when did Kapp take the initial steps in her fledgling career? As the all-rounder observed, “I didn’t even know there was international women’s cricket while growing up.”
She went on to say: “I started playing cricket because my cousin played very close to where we lived. He sadly passed away earlier this week. He taught me how to play cricket. We would play backyard cricket and cricket in the streets with my cousin and other boys in the area. I started playing indoors.
“When I was about 12-13 years old, my mother (Nareda Kapp) asked the school principal whether I can join the boys outdoor cricket team because back then, no girls played outdoor cricket. So, it started there, playing with the boys. I really enjoyed it. As I got older, there was Under-19 Provincial cricket. I was brought into the South African set-up at a young age. I started joining South African camps at the age of 16. But I only made the South African team when I was 19 years old. Back then, I just played for the love of the game.”
While growing up, one of her prized possessions was a bat gifted by her parents, “I was so proud when my parents bought my first outdoor cricket bat,” she said. “Growing up, we never really had much money. That is a memory I would cherish forever. I am blessed to play this wonderful sport and give a little back to my parents for all the sacrifices they have made throughout my career.”
Spool back to present times, playing with her cousin, the bat… everything now is a part of a storehouse of memories. Her microscopic focus is firmly on the 50-over World Cup. So, what does she think about South Africa’s preparations going into the World Cup? “It was good, we played a few games back home where we worked on options against spin at specific bowlers and batters.
“And then we had the series against Pakistan, not just the pitch but overhead conditions as well. I think it has been very good. It is a bit of all of that. The batting coach has been big on giving us options whether it is using your feet, whether it is sweeping, lapping, working the ball for ones… it is something that we have been working a lot on.”
All the blood, sweat and toil didn’t seem to materialise in the South Africa-England game as the Protea women were rolled out for 69. It was a clear case of not executing the planning and hard work that was done behind the scenes. But a few days later, the hard yards done in the practice arenas came to fruition as South Africa overhauled a target of 232 against New Zealand. Tazmin Brits’s ability to play in the ‘V’ was a microcosm of all the training that took place in the practice workshops.
Perhaps this time, Kapp and her teammates would be able to hoist the trophy. But if they again come second-best, will Kapp consider moving away from the game? After all, she has played franchise cricket across the cricketing landscape, alongside internationals, for 16 years now. Simply put, Kapp has fulfilled her potential. But champions don’t think like mere mortals. Kapp still has that insatiable hunger to perform in the grand theatres of the sport.
“I am not looking too far ahead, I feel like everyone gets caught up in age,” she said. “If you look after your body well, age doesn’t really matter. Yes, it is tough playing international cricket. But I have always been preparing well. You have a niggle here or there, as any other international cricketer. As far as I am concerned, I am still playing my best cricket, still open to learning, and continue to work hard. So, I am not looking too far ahead, I am enjoying myself and playing for my country.”
On the field, Kapp comes across as the archetypal in-your-face pace bowler. But while having a candid chat with her, one could see the other side of her character: A sporting legend with a winsome warmth. So, how is Kapp off the field? “At the moment, I play so much cricket, so many leagues. So, when I am at home, I just like spending time with my family and my sister’s kids. Mom and aunty to five little ones,” she says with a laugh.
Come Thursday, her single-minded focus will be solely on cricket: How to find a way past Smriti Mandhana and the new kid on the block, Pratika Rawal. The two different sides of a South African colossus.
