WT20WC 2023: South Africa SWOT analysis
The eighth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is all set to kick-start on February 10, 2023, in South Africa. The event will include a total of 10 teams who have been divided into two groups of five each. The teams to finish in the top two in each group will advance to the knockout stage for the semi-final with an aim to seal the final two spots.
India and Australia played in the finals in the previous edition of the tournament in 2020, while South Africa and England were the other two teams who cleared the group stage. South Africa faced a defeat in the semi-final against Australia and were knocked out of the tournament. But they will be aiming to turn things around so as to clinch their first-ever T20 World Cup title.
SWOT Analysis of South Africa:
STRENGTH
South Africa’s recent international outings have been topsy-turvy, which has led to questions being raised about the entire team ahead of the T20 World Cup. The Proteas Women have a lot to prove in the tournament but one of their biggest advantages will be the home conditions. Being the host of the global event South Africa will benefit a lot given their familiarity with the pitch conditions. South Africa’s senior players Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tyron, skipper Sune Luss, and Shabnim Ismail will be the team’s biggest strengths.
WEAKNESS
As South Africa announced their squad for the T20 World Cup on January 31, Dane van Niekerk missing out on the team came as the biggest shocker. One of the senior players in the team, she has been out of the international setup due to a prolonged injury. While she was hoping to make a return to the national squad, she failed to meet CSA’s fitness requirements and was eventually dropped. Do there or plenty of experienced players in the South African camp, van Niekerk’s absence may play a role
OPPORTUNITY
Annerie Dercksen, who recently made her international debut in the tri-series against West Indies and India in January, has been called up for her maiden T20 World Cup. It will be a huge opportunity for her to prove herself as an all-rounder. For players like Kapp and Ismail, who are among the senior players on the side, the upcoming World Cup at home is a huge opportunity. What better way to win the first ICC title in the format than lifting the cup at home?
THREAT
Ahead of the global event South Africa hosted India and West Indies for a tri-series. While they managed to defeat West Indies twice in the series, they lost their opening game against India as the Indian bowlers put the South African batters in trouble during the chase. While it looked like an easy chase the South African batting unit struggled to put up a show. Though India won’t be a part of their group at the World Cup, South Africa are placed alongside Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. Given their previous records, Australia and New Zealand will prove to be the biggest threats.
South Africa’s Squad: Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Lara Goodall, Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Shabnim Ismail, Tazmin Brits, Masabata Klaas, Laura Wolvaardt, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Delmi Tucker.
