Laura Wolvaardt: Experience will be key for us at T20 World Cup

Wolvaardt will have the old guard of Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, and Dané van Niekerk to bounce ideas off of at the tournament, and she says this will help offload a bit of pressure on her shoulders. At the same time, she hopes the exuberance of youth with the likes of Kayla Reyneke and Karabo Meso will inject some energy into the side when things get tough.

"Yeah, that balance is very important. Obviously, you have to keep bringing in young players for them to gain experience and develop into senior and experienced players. At the same time, I think experience is invaluable, especially in T20 cricket," said Kapp.

READ: Dané van Niekerk grateful for selectors’ backing despite injury

"To have the likes of Marizanne Kapp back, who has played so many games of cricket and is able to sum up conditions really quickly, and help that bowling group by spreading information and sharing what she knows is vital."

"So, I'm very happy to have those seniors back to assist me as the captain as well. But, yeah, that young, exciting talent coming through is thrilling as well."

Speaking of experience, Wolvaardt is sitting on 98 caps for South Africa in the shortest format of the game having made her debut 10 years ago, and will likely get to a century in the match against Pakistan at the tournament. She says although she’s not too obsessed with milestones, she hopes it will be one to remember for her and the team.

Wolvaardt is also one of a few ladies in the team who take part in different T20 leagues around the world, and says this helps with knowing their opposition. She has also played in The Hundred in the UK, and admitted that the familiarity with the conditions and pitches will assist her game at the tournament.

"Yeah, the league obviously helps. I've played in England one month every year for the last couple of years, so a couple of us have already played at the grounds we are playing at or are familiar with the conditions. We know what to expect in terms of conditions, whether we bat first or bowl first, so I think all of that information will help us."

"But it's the same for everyone; many teams have players in those leagues, so everyone gains a bit of insight. At the same time, they gain insight into you because you used to play with all those players a bit more. They see what your weaknesses are, so it goes both ways. But I think it will take away that big nervous energy , knowing that we've been there before."