South Africa U19 Women have booked their place in the ICC U19 Women\u2019s T20 World Cup final after a five-wicket victory over Australia U19 Women on Friday.<\/p>\n
After being sent in to bowl first, the Junior Proteas made an early attack as Nthabiseng Nini struck with the very first delivery to dismiss opener, Ines McKeon.<\/p>\n
However, the standout performance came from Ashleigh van Wyk, whose remarkable spell of 4\/17 in three overs dismantled Australia\u2019s batting lineup. With wickets falling at regular intervals, South Africa restricted Australia to 105\/8 in their allotted 20 overs.<\/p>\n
Chasing 106 for victory, opener Jemma Botha (37), captain Kayla Reyneke (26), and Karabo Meso (19) ensured a comfortable run chase, reaching the target with 11 balls to spare.<\/p>\n
Van Wyk, who was named Player of the Match, reflected on her performance:<\/p>\n
\u201cI kept myself calm by breathing after each ball, staying present in the moment, and reminding myself and my teammates that every ball is an event. I stuck to what has been working for me and followed the team plan throughout the tournament, backing myself and the hard work we have put in over the last 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always need support to achieve victory. It\u2019s never just about what I do, t\u2019s about the way my teammates and management back me. That support allows me to play with heart and without regrets, whether things go my way or not<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a team, we rely on our management for mental preparation, but the key to lifting the trophy is playing for each other. We back each other, celebrate each other\u2019s successes as if they were our own, and function as a family and a unit,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n
South Africa will now face the winner of the ongoing match between India U19 Women and England U19 Women at the Bayuemas Oval.<\/p>\n
South Africa U19 Women Squad: ICC U19 Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2025 (18 January – 02 February)<\/p>\n
Kayla Reyneke (Captain,Western Province), Jemma Botha (Western Province), Fay Cowling (Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Monalisa Legodi (Titans), Simon\u00e9 Lourens (Titans), Karabo Meso (Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Dragons), Luyanda Nzuza (Free State), Diara Ramlakan (Lions), Diedr\u00e9 van Rensburg (North West Dragons), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Chanel Venter (Titans).<\/p>\n
SA U19 Women Fixtures: ICC U19 Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2025 (18 January – 02 February)<\/p>\n
Saturday, 18 January @ 08h30 SAST – 1st Match: New Zealand vs South Africa U19 (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) \u2013 South Africa won by 22 runs.<\/p>\n
Monday, 20 January @ 08h30 SAST – 2nd Match: South Africa U19W vs Samoa (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) \u2013 South Africa won by 10 wickets.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 22 January @ 08h30 SAST – 3rd Match: South Africa U19W vs Nigeria (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) \u2013 South Africa won by 41 runs (DLS Method).<\/p>\n
Super Six Stage<\/p>\n
Saturday, 25 January @08h30 SAST- South Africa U19W vs Ireland (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) – South Africa won by 7 wickets.<\/p>\n
Tuesday, 28 January @04h30 SAST- South Africa U19W vs USA (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) \u2013 Match Abandoned.<\/p>\n
Semifinals<\/p>\n
Friday, 31 January @ 04h30 SAST \u2013 South Africa U19W vs Australia U19W (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) \u2013 South Africa won by 5 wickets.<\/p>\n
Friday, 31 January @ 08h30 SAST \u2013 India U19W vs England U19W (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur)<\/p>\n
Final<\/p>\n
Sunday, 02 February @ 08h30 SAST \u2013 South Africa U19W vs TBC (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"