Sinalo Jafta hails father figure Hilton Moreeng

“He’s been there for me through the highs and lowest of lows”, the wicketkeeper batter shared proudly. 

The ‘highs’ include a silver medal at the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February. While the ‘lows’ are eclipsed by a two-month stint in rehab after social media vitriol pushed the 29-year-old past a breaking point. 

"I remember going into treatment. He was the first phone call before entering rehab, and when I came out of rehab he was the first phone call. So, for me, he holds a special place in my heart," she told SABC Sport. 

It’s believed a section of players is unhappy with Moreeng's continuance, as he had been expected to leave his post after becoming the first coach to lead a South African senior cricket team to an ICC World Cup final earlier this year.

Jafta, one of the senior members of the team, however, denies having any knowledge of the rift.

"I'm not aware of that, but from my end, I appreciate the guy. Also what he's done for the women's game since 2012 and actually having fully 15 professional contracts and girls playing in the overseas leagues speaks for itself and the character that he is. He believes in his players." 

Although Cricket South Africa (CSA) have not completely closed the door on Moreeng, they are actively looking for a new coach as his contract expired in June and he only has a temporary deal until the end of the year.

As previously reported by SABC Sport, Moreeng is still yearning for that elusive gold medal before he shuts this door all the way. The Eastern Cape-born Jafta says Moreeng’s legacy goes beyond boundary lines. 

"He's literally been through every player's milestone. For me, he's probably the one person who'll allow you to make mistakes on the field and not actually have backlash.

"From there you access how can we get better. He gives you that freedom on the field and always says 'What is there to be afraid of'? You're here and actually blessed to play the game.’"