Can They Do It? | Sporting Action

Proteas Women Still in With A Chance While Amajita Fall Short

By Koketso Mamabolo

Can they do it? The Proteas Women, after a shocker of a start, are looking like they can compete with the best at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and will likely have their eyes on a historic run. Meanwhile, the U20 men’s football team, Amajita, despite losing to European giants France 1 - 0 in their opener, showed why they are Africa’s champions by reaching the round of 16 at the U20 World Cup. Unfortunately, they bowed out of competition after a 3 - 1 defeat at the hands of Columbia but coach Raymond Mdaka will be proud of how his charges fared. Let’s take a look at some of the players to watch as the Proteas carry the hopes of a nation with them, and also at the young stars who helped Amajita reach the playoffs.

It’s Not How You Start

The Proteas have a realistic chance of reaching the semifinals. Who will take them there?

Tamzin Brits

The veteran opener’s 101 runs off 89 balls, part of a 159-run stand that helped the Proteas chase down a target of 232 against New Zealand. Her seventh ODI century, and her first in a World Cup, took the team into fifth place in the group after a terrible loss in their opening game, making it four centuries in five games for the aggressive batter. The Proteas will need her world-leading partnership with captain Laura Wolwaardt, 1271 runs in 24 innings, to continue.

Nadine de Klerk

The team's leading wicket-taker brings youth and energy to the lineup. Batting at number eight, her unbeaten knock of 84 runs of 54 balls helped the Proteas beat India in a thrilling encounter. She hasn’t had many opportunities at this World Cup but she will be a lower-order threat throughout the rest of the tournament if she can ride the momentum.

Marizanne Kapp

The 35-year-old all-rounder was dominant with bat and ball at the 2022 World Cup. She hasn’t grabbed the headlines at this tournament but her track record speaks for itself and opponents will know all too well how she can upset their hopes.

From Africa to the World

Raymond Mdaka, a former schoolteacher from Ga-Mokgwathi, just outside Tzaneen, will be happy with where his decision to quit teaching to coach full-time has taken him. He cut his teeth with clubs in his home province of Limpopo and was head coach of Marumo Gallants in the PSL, but his stint as the Amajita coach is where he has distinguished himself. When he was appointed in 2024 he delivered silverware immediately, winning the COSAFA U20 title without conceding a goal. Then, in Egypt earlier this year, his side became African champions after a 1 - 0 win over Morocco. And now, for the only the second time in almost two decades he steered them to the Round of 16 at the World Cup in Chile.

This teacher is fortunate to have stellar students who have bright futures ahead of them.

Tylon Smith

The 19-year-old defender, who was named the best player at the AFCON tournament, has taken his talents up north to the 143-year-old English second-division side Queens Park Rangers. His composure and ability to control the tempo from the back make him a sure thing for the senior national side in the coming years.

Shakeel April

The winger knows his way to the back of the net. He’s quick, a nightmare for fullbacks. He was key to the AFCON campaign and he seems to have the right mindset and the resilience required at the highest level.

Fletcher Lowe

It’s hard to say who’s the better player in the squad between Smith and goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe. At the World Cup the shot-stopper saved the team on a few occasions, continuing the strong run that has seen him emerge as the best goalkeeper each tournament he plays. He spent time at the youth academy of Portuguese side Benfica before joining Estoril’s and could very soon find himself playing for the senior side in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Sources: NDTV | ICC | ESPN | CAF Online | Letaba Herald | News24