The Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series is all set to begin tomorrow in Sri Lanka, as the hosts will compete against India and South Africa. With the ODI World Cup just a few months away in India, this series could be the perfect stage for each team to prepare. India and Sri Lanka will face off in the first game, while on 29 April, South Africa will begin their campaign against India. Ahead of the series, South Africa Women’s team skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, had an exclusive chat with RevSportz where she spoke about her team’s preparations, the importance of spinners, facing top-quality spin, the absence of key players, handling World Cup heartbreaks, her WPL experience with Gujarat Giants, and much more.
Wolvaardt shared that preparations have been thorough and productive. “Prep has been good. We had a few camps leading up to this. One was sort of scenario-based, so trying to get as close as we can to match scenarios without actually playing any real games against opposition,” she explained.
With the tournament in India fast approaching, she emphasised the significance of this series. “Really looking forward to just batting in the subcontinent for a bit and getting used to conditions as much as we can. So, I think it is a very important prep,” added Wolvaardt.
Despite entering the series without two key players—Anneke Bosch, who is out due to illness, and Marizanne Kapp, who has been rested—Wolvaardt is choosing to look at the bigger picture.
“I think obviously two big players for us that are missing. Kappie sort of is two players in one with bat and ball. But at the same time, it gives some opportunity for youngsters,” she said. “We have three brand new youngsters in the squad who I do not think have made their debut in this format yet. So, it gives them an opportunity if they get a go. Gives us a chance to sort of widen the pool of players a little bit.”
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“If we are too static, it would not go well against their top-quality spinners” – #LauraWolvaardt, @ProteasWomenCSA Captain on facing spin threats from India and Sri Lanka in the Tri-Series, starting from tomorrow in Sri Lanka@LauraWolvaardt also opens up on… pic.twitter.com/6BZmGRTGhX
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) April 26, 2025
Wolvaardt was particularly glowing in her praise of the new additions: Miane Smit, Karabo Meso, and Seshnie Naidu. “They are not totally fresh. Karabo, I have been really impressed with her batting. Her batting has come a very long way since I last saw her… She has really looked very organised with the bat. And I think a keeper that bats well is something that every team sort of looks for.” She also highlighted the potential of Naidu and Smit to make an impact in spin-friendly conditions. “Seshnie has looked pretty good with the ball, got good control, a couple of really good balls in the nets yesterday. And I think she can be very effective in these conditions.”
As for Miane, Wolvaardt sees her as someone who can add value with her off-spin, particularly against left-handed batters. “Off-spinner is always very valuable with all the lefties that we will be facing in the series. So, she could have a good role to play as well.”
With the World Cup being held in India, spin is expected to play a major role, and Wolvaardt made it clear that her squad is aligned with that reality. “It is going to be very important. I think we have got quite a lot of spinners in our squad. It is probably the most that we have had for a long time. We only have the four seamers in our squad, which I think is the least we have had since I have been captain,” she noted.
Training sessions have already provided evidence of the kind of turning tracks they can expect. “In the nets yesterday as well, definitely a bit more turn than what we are used to back at home.”
She also discussed the technical and mental adjustments required to succeed against spin in subcontinental conditions. “They do have quality spinners. I think just all about positions and batting, playing as late as we can,” she said. “Back at home, you can kind of get away with playing a bit too early or letting your hands go a bit. But over here, that will get you in trouble.”
For Wolvaardt, the key lies in proactive footwork and adaptability. “Trying to be nice and proactive. So, step out the crease or get nice and deep or do something like that, because I think if we are too static, it would not go well against their top-quality spinners.” She also acknowledged the importance of facing a high volume of spin in practice to become more comfortable.
On a personal note, Wolvaardt carries an enviable record against Sri Lanka in ODIs, averaging over 125 in eight games. However, she is not taking anything for granted. “That is a nice stat. But I guess those games were all played probably on a bit flatter track. Not many in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, I think it might be a bit of a different story,” she admitted. “Their (Sri Lanka) spinners can be quite dangerous in these conditions.”
Her strong opening partnership with Tazmin Brits has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s batting success. “I think we have had some really good innings together. I think we are very different in the way that we bat, we sort of complement each other well,” she said. “She is obviously quite a destructive batter, likes to take the game on early, whereas I sort of ease into it sometimes. And sometimes it happens vice versa as well.”
The chemistry between them allows them to play off each other’s strengths and form substantial partnerships. “We just like batting for long periods of time, both of us. So, we have had some really big partnerships. Hopefully, we can continue that over here.”
Wolvaardt also spoke about the potential impact of dew, especially during the World Cup. While this series does not feature day-night games, she is hoping for future opportunities to prepare under those conditions. “Day-night games in this series would have been ideal prep for that. But hopefully we can squeeze in some day-night games somewhere in our next series to practice that,” she said.
She also considered creative solutions. “Maybe just do something funky in training, like get the balls nice and wet or something for the spinners to try and grip it.”
“I think, at WPL now, that where I played, it was almost like win-the-toss, win-the-game type of thing, where the chasing teams, especially at some of the venues, clearly had a bit of an advantage. So maybe I should just work on my toss rate,” she further added.
Reflecting on her time in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with Gujarat Giants, Wolvaardt described it as a standout experience. “It is such an awesome tournament. I think the crowds and the hype around the game are sort of second to none in the women’s game,” she said. “Just the whole vibe of the tournament, it feels really special to be there… The cricket is also high quality, with obviously high-scoring games. You have to be at the top of your game when you are playing.”
She was proud of her team’s improved season and added, “Hopefully there is more to come in the future, and it was lovely to be a part of.”
She also spoke fondly of teammate Harleen Deol, who had a strong comeback this season. “It was great to see her sort of evolving,” Wolvaardt said. “She really got us over the line with some great innings that she played. So, it was awesome to see some nice cover drives as well.”
Regarding Mithali Raj, who was in the coaching setup during the first WPL season, she recalled, “It was a bit strange. Playing against her for all those years and then having her as a mentor. But it was awesome… Those kinds of tournaments are great where you can just learn from people like that.”
As captain, Wolvaardt has had to manage emotional highs and lows, including heartbreaking losses in recent World Cup finals. She takes a pragmatic approach.
“There is so much cricket nowadays… I just try to look forward. I think if you are too heartbroken about it, it could be a very long season,” she said. “We try to take our time as a team to reflect and to learn from it. But then, sort of see what we can do better next time and look forward rather than sort of getting stuck on that.”
Finally, she spoke about the importance of franchise cricket in a player’s development. “Facing opponents, playing in different conditions. Like, I got to spend a month in India during our World Cup year in India. So, it is a perfect prep,” she said. Beyond facing top opposition, she values the exposure to varied coaching styles. “You are also playing under different coaches… I think all of that you can just take the information and learn from it.”
Also Read: Yastika Bhatia: “The joy of seeing fielders chase the ball is what drives me”