Captain Laura Wolvaardt proud of Proteas Women in wake of World Cup final loss

Wolvaardt was full of emotion following her team's 52-run loss to hosts India in the drama-filled Women's World Cup final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night. She won the toss and opted to bowl first, but India were up to the task and amassed 298. Wolvaart's century gave the Proteas Women a chance, but the hosts took regular wickets on their way to their first Women's World Cup title.

Zooming out from Sunday's result, Wolvaardt recognised that coming back from two difficult losses (getting bowled out for 69 and 97 by England and Australia, respectively) to reach their first Women's World Cup final was an achievement in itself.

"I could not be prouder of this team for the campaign we had," the 26-year-old said in the on-field interview after the final.  

"Brilliant cricket throughout but we were outplayed today. Unfortunate to be on the losing side, but we will definitely grow from this. It was an amazing tournament for a lot of the players, and proud of the resilience we showed.

"We were hoping for a little bit more [swing]. There was still something in it, so I still feel it was the right call to bowl. We were in it for a lot of the chase but lost too many wickets. I kept checking that scoreboard and they were definitely tracking for 350. Back end [bowling] was amazing and we have been amazing throughout. We really felt we could chase it."

Wolvaardt led from the front with another century on Sunday, but lacked partners who could stick around. She eventually holed out for 101 when the Proteas Women needed to up the run rate.

Personally, Wolvaardt had a superlative World Cup. She scored centuries in the semifinal and final to rack up 571 runs -  a cool 137 runs above the next best - at an average of 71.37. Somewhat inexplicably, she missed out on the Player of the Tournament accolade.

But she is nothing but humble and there's every indication that Wolvaardt will be around to have another crack at the next edition in 2029.

Someone who won't be there is South African women's cricket legend Marizanne Kapp. The 35-year-old competed in her fifth Women's World Cup and Wolvaardt lamented that the fact that the team couldn't give her the perfect send-off.

"She has been phenomenal for so many editions," she said of Kapp, who is the leading wicket-taker in Women's World Cups with 44 scalps. 

"Really sad it is going to be her last one. The whole group wanted to win it for her. She is two players in one and very happy she is on our team."