Anneke Bosch was the star of the Proteas chase with a quite brilliant unbeaten 74 from 48, but avoided taking sole credit for South Africa’s incredible eight wicket win over Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final in Dubai on Thursday.
Set a modest 135 for victory by Australia who had never lost to South Africa in a T20 World Cup match, the Proteas went about their chase with impressive efficiency.
Though she was ably supported by skipper Laura Wolvaardt (42 from 37), after the loss of opener Tazmin Brits (15), Bosch was the rock of the SA innings with eight fours and a six.
In fact, Wolvaardt played probably the shot of the match that epitomised SA’s dominance when she cleared her front leg and smashed a length delivery over long-on for six in the seventh over.
Anneke Bosch, take a bow 🥲![CDATA[]]>👏
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 17, 2024
She earns the ICC Player of the Match 💯![CDATA[]]>🥇#T20WorldCup #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/Jnw81345T3
‘Quite tough out there’
But it was Bosch who stuck around right to the end to hit the winning runs to book the Proteas spot in their second T20 World Cup final.
“My heart is racing. It was quite tough out there but I'm really glad we could get over the line and that I could finally contribute with some runs,” Bosch said.
“I just had to play what the conditions allowed and stick to what's in your mind. It means a lot. I can't really describe it, but we knew we were capable of it and we had a pretty good tournament so far coming into this game and we were quite confident.”
With Brits departing in the fifth over with the score on 25, there was plenty work left for Bosch but she quickly found her stride.
“Wolfie and Taz have been incredible for us for the last season, or year, or even throughout the tournament. That helps a lot when we do have a good foundation – when they are going well and I come in, there's kind of no pressure on me.
“Today was a bit different. But I think my mindset could still kind of stay the same, even though we lost an early wicket.”
The moment South Africa made HISTORY against Australia in the #T20WorldCup! 🥲![CDATA[]]>🔥 #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/t0pv9cvhYD
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 17, 2024