Marizanne Kapp believes the Proteas Women have yet to produce their best cricket at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – a prospect she says should excite South African fans ahead of Thursday’s semi-final against England.
Despite winning four consecutive matches to reach the last four, Kapp insists the Proteas are still some way off their full potential.
“We’ve been putting in the hard work,” Kapp said ahead of the clash at The Oval.
“I actually feel like we probably performed at 60%, to be completely honest.”
Rather than viewing that as a concern, the experienced all-rounder sees it as a major positive.
“That excites me because that tells me, and I know this team, big players like Wolfie haven’t hit the straps yet.”
“We have a lot of players that are new and that for me is exciting because the best is yet to come.”
The Proteas have reached the final of the last two ICC tournaments and are now preparing for another knockout encounter against England – the same side they defeated in the semi-finals of both the 2023 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ODI World Cup.
Despite that recent record, Kapp refuses to label South Africa as favourites.
“I always look at it like there’s no favourites.”
“It’s whoever rocks up on the day and plays the best cricket.”
While experience has strengthened the Proteas over recent years, Kapp believes previous results will count for little once play begins.
“We are experienced. I feel like we are in a better place as a whole having reached the finals in the last couple of World Cups.”
“But at the end of the day, on Thursday when we rock up, it’s a clean slate.”
Kapp admitted South Africa’s campaign has been scrappy at times, but she would rather peak at the right moment than dominate the group stage.
“I’m always scared if everything just goes your way and you just smash everyone.”
“I’m more afraid of that actually than reaching the semi-finals the way we’ve played.”
The Proteas have continued to work on their game throughout the tournament, believing their best performance is still to come.
“We know we’ve not been at our best and we can openly say that.”
“But the hard work didn’t stop.”
“We’ve still been working hard and hopefully a good performance is just around the corner.”
The Oval is expected to provide a batting-friendly surface, something Kapp believes could suit both teams.
“I’m not going to lie. It’s usually a very flat wicket and the outfield is extremely quick.”
“I think it’ll be a high-scoring game.”
Even so, the veteran knows preparation only counts for so much.
“You can do all the planning in the world, you have to go out there and perform.”
Personally, Kapp heads into another World Cup semi-final in outstanding form after starring against India earlier in the tournament.
The 36-year-old says careful workload management by Cricket South Africa has played a major role in extending her career.
“I think it’s made a massive difference for me.”
“Just having a bit of rest every year but still being able to play all over the world.”
Far from winding down, Kapp believes she is still producing some of the best cricket of her career.
“I feel like I’m still playing my best cricket.”
“So I’ll go for as long as I can and as long as I keep on winning games for my country.”
Her motivation remains as strong as ever.
“I absolutely love the World Cup.”
“There’s nothing more special than playing in the World Cup for South Africa.”
As one of the senior figures in the squad, Kapp also believes previous knockout experiences have helped the Proteas mature under pressure.
“I think in the past our main goal was always to reach a semi-final.”
“Then we moved on and started reaching finals.”
“All of us want to win the World Cup. That’s the main goal.”
Although nerves are inevitable before a World Cup semi-final, Kapp believes experience has made handling those moments much easier.
“The stress is always going to be there.”
“I stress when I play a social cricket match.”
“But I think definitely the experience that a lot of the team has now means the nerves and the stress are a little bit less compared to the past.”
Kapp says the squad is also motivated by the opportunity to unite South Africans through sport.
“We’ve seen in the past nothing brings the country together like sports.”
“That would be amazing if we can do something like that.”
However, before the Proteas can begin dreaming of lifting the trophy at Lord’s, they must first overcome a formidable England side on home soil.
Kapp knows the challenge awaiting them.
“It’s a massive semi-final coming up against a very strong England team at home.”
But if South Africa can finally produce the complete performance Kapp believes is still waiting to emerge, another World Cup final could be within reach.