Women's WT20 | Got a sniff of a final and now have heartache of not winning it, expresses Suné Luus

South Africa Women made history in their own backyard at the ICC Women's World T20 2023 by reaching their first-ever final in a major cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council. The Proteas had been knocked out in the semi-finals of the last two ODI World Cups as well as the previous World T20, making it five semi-final exits in World Cups. However, despite missing the services of revolutionary captain Dane van Niekerk, the African contingent under Suné Luus defeated England in the penultimate encounter to make their way to the summit clash against Australia.

"I think they did extremely well and gave Australia a good run for their money. I think there were a couple of nerves from their side as well, while Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon were batting, so I think, overall, obviously, not the result we wanted, but just positive feelings and feelings of excitement and pride. Now it's just for us to really look at that final and say, OK, cool, how are we going to get through the final and be on the other side of that? I think this was a massive opportunity for our girls. I think we've done our best to give the girls in the country the best possible chance. I don't think - obviously would have loved to win, but I don't think we could have given it a bigger shot and more of a chance," Luus said of her country's performance.

"Obviously they are a world machine. I think the level of professionalism is insane and I think, their team, the world has been looking up to for a very, very long time and they're the best for a reason. I think, if you look at the structures and pipelines - everything is just lining up and everything is in order. So, I think that's something definitely as a country we're striving for. And I think we obviously look at the structures and, you know, want to see what you know how we can do that best in our country as well. But obviously the best in the world for a reason. And we can only, try and get better and better to knock on those doors to eventually beat them," the Proteas skipper said of her counterparts.