Laura Wolvaardt embracing young squad ahead of Zimbabwe series

By Benjamin Leshoro
10th September 2026

Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt has admitted that she’s had to face a new challenge in her career, having to provide leadership to a very young group of players on the tour of Zimbabwe.

At just 27 years old, Wolvaardt is the senior citizen in camp, with most of the team’s regular players either rested for the five-match T20 series in Bulawayo, or playing in other leagues around the world.

She says unlike her usual teammates who know the drill at international level, she’s had to put in the work and guide the youthful squad she’s with in that country.

"Yeah, very different. I think with my senior bowlers, it's easy to sort of fall into a routine. They know the field; we are sort of on the same wavelength. We almost don't have to speak about it. Players like Marizanne Kapp know what she wants to do without me having to speak to her, really," said Wolvaardt.

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"I think this will be a little different. I am still trying to get to know a lot of the new young bowlers. We will see on the field how it goes; how the players react under pressure is really different, so there's a lot of things for me to learn as a captain. But I am excited for the opportunity and to work with some new players."

She does, however, applaud them for their professionalism and focus when it’s time to put their heads down and work. She added that she’s spent time with some of them individually to get to know them better and share in their excitement to be in camp.

While the tour is a historic first one between the two countries in a women’s T20 International series, Wolvaardt says they will not be taking Zimbabwe lightly and revealed that they’ve studied some of their clips to make sure they don’t go into the series blind.

She also described their experience in the country and spoke of the unusual similarities to home compared to the other countries they tour regularly.