GOOD VIBE NATION – South Africa have unfinished business.

South Africa have done almost everything but lift a World Cup trophy in recent years. 

Finalists twice at the T20 World Cup and runners-up to India at the recent ODI World Cup, the Proteas have established themselves as one of the world’s most consistent sides. 

Now, with six-time champions Australia and reigning ODI world champions India standing in their path once again, they arrive believing they can take the final step. 

Recent performances say as much: Wolvaardt and her side bounced back from a 1-4 T20I series defeat during their tour of New Zealand by securing an impressive 4-1 T20I series win over India, and beat Ireland by 15 runs in the World Cup warm-ups.  

Alice Jackson speaks to bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba about her love for the T20 format, and why 2026 could be the year South Africa finally seal the deal. 

Nonkululeko Mlaba’s vibe is impossible to miss. 

Known for her infectious energy and dangerous left-arm, the 25-year-old has every reason to be dancing her famed dance moves ahead of this year’s tournament.  

She was the second-highest wicket-taker at the 2024 edition, became the first South African to take 10 wickets in a women’s Test, and is now, in her seventh year with the national side.

⁠What does the T20 World Cup mean to you?

T20 is my favourite format and the World Cup is obviously the world’s biggest stage. 

I’m forever grateful and proud to represent my country and to be part of the World Cup squad. 

But T20 also means hard work! It’s just so quick. 

What’s your first memory of the T20 World Cup?

I played my first T20 World Cup in Australia in 2020. 

It was amazing, even though I was still young and I didn’t know what was happening! 

I was just me playing cricket, not really thinking about how big it was. Only now do I realise that a World Cup is a big event. 

But my favourite memory has to be when we made our first T20 final at the Newlands Stadium in South Africa in 2023. 

Beating England in the semis, and obviously playing in front of a home crowd. 

Yeah, just amazing. 

At the last T20 World Cup, you took 12 wickets across six matches. Do you think you can match that form this year? 

Cricket is actually a funny game. There’s some days where you do well, some days where you actually don’t do so well. 

So, I’m not even gonna think about that. 

I’m just gonna take one game at a time.  

If I’m able to get maybe 12 wickets or even more than that, I’ll be more than happy.

But otherwise, there’s no pressure on my side.

Building up to the World Cup, I’ve made sure to sharpen my skills and my bowling, and work on my variations as well. 

I tend to work on my bowling and then everything else can follow after. 

How do you feel about the T20 format compared to other formats of the game? 

Obviously T20 is quick, and I get to listen to more music because each over they play music! 

There’s always fours and sixes – so that means even more music! 

It’s just a vibe. 

I love the competition.

I love to be challenged and I also like to have fun in the field. 

I feel like T20 gives me every opportunity to do that. 

It’s all about fun and enjoying myself.

What are your chances this time – which opponents are you most looking forward to facing?

It’s always fun to play Australia. And India as well. 

India are very competitive, they don’t like to lose. 

I remember when we had a series in South Africa, we beat them and they said “yeah, but we still beat you guys in a World Cup!” 

I like that competitiveness. It’d be nice to beat them.

To be honest, I actually don’t mind playing anyone if we make it to the finals. 

As a team, we’re in such a good space right now. 

The times when we’ve made it to the finals, it’s more the mental side that has got in the way, it’s not that we don’t have skill or talent. 

I think we’ve overcome that now, and we know how to control ourselves. 

How do you feel about playing in big, iconic cricket grounds? What do you think the atmosphere will be like? 

I feel like people are gonna come out in numbers, especially at Lords, even when England aren’t playing. 

I haven’t played at Old Trafford but I’m looking forward to it because I’m a Man United fan.

How would you describe your nation’s progress since the last T20 World Cup?

Before, we were dependent on a few players in the team – now everyone is pulling the stops out. 

Like Nadine de Klerk, for example in the 50 over World Cup. She was there scoring those winning runs for the team but I feel like everyone now is capable of doing that. 

It’s great to see the balance in the team, whether bowling or batting. 

Everything is blending nicely now.

Who are your young players and emerging stars we should look out for?

Karabo Meso is very talented behind the stumps. 

She’s gonna be in your ears annoying you! 

And then we also have Kayla Reyneke, who can hit the ball anywhere. 

She’s got serious power and she’s got a vibe as well. 

Shabnim Ismail is coming out of retirement for the T20 World Cup too – how will that impact the squad?

Shabnim is an amazing person besides being a cricketer and I think that’s really important. 

She has a lot of experience, obviously, and she’s just great for everyone in the team.  

She hasn’t stopped playing, even after she retired – she was still playing for the leagues and provincial cricket as well, so she’s still very much fit to play.

What would you say to your younger self, the girl who played in that first T20 World Cup in 2020? 

I would say “Girl, look at you playing cricket for the love of the game!” 

It’s amazing to see the hard work after you realise how important cricket is in your life and also, there’s more you can do with cricket. 

I’ve travelled to so many places that I never thought I would, because of cricket. 

So I’d definitely tell myself to be very proud and to carry on loving the game.

Was there ever a point where you thought you might not take sport seriously?

After I finished school, I was supposed to submit my applications for university and then I got a call that I made it to the national cricket academy for two months. 

I told them, “Okay, listen, I think I’m gonna have to take a gap year and see where cricket is taking me” and then I thought “maybe I can make a career out of this.” 

That’s when I started to take it seriously – because why would they even call me for the national academy if I didn’t have potential? 

Why should people unfamiliar with women’s cricket come to watch the T20 World Cup – this is your chance to sell it!

I think watching women in sport is amazing in itself. 

Watching women doing well in sports, that’s another plus. 

Women’s cricket has grown now – watching those sixes flying, you’re gonna have fun! 

It’s gonna be a vibe, you’re gonna enjoy yourself. 

There’s so many things you can do at the grounds.

Photos: ICC

South Africa T20 WWC fixtures:

Saturday 13th June 14.30: v Australia, Old Trafford

Wednesday 17th June 18:30: v Pakistan, Edgbaston

Sunday 21st June 14:30: v India, Old Trafford

Thursday 25th June 18:30: v Netherlands, Bristol

Sunday 28th June 10.30: v Bangladesh, Lord’s

All matches live on Sky Sports.

For full fixture and where to watch details, check out our tournament preview.
New to T20 cricket? Check out our quick start guide.
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