They have only played one game, but already the T20 World Cup in South Africa, in their homeland, is at stake.
The Proteas women were stunned in their opening match of the tournament against Sri Lanka at Newlands on Friday night, losing by three runs against opposition they were expected to beat more often than not.
READ | Proteas ‘were not’ present in shock World Cup defeat
That immediately puts them at a disadvantage in the competition, and with only the top two teams advancing to the playoffs from each group of five, the Proteas will have to fight their way out of a tough corner.
The game against New Zealand in Paarl on Monday (19:00) is next for captain Sune Luus and her charges, and defeat there would almost certainly spell the end of their campaign.
The White Ferns, as they are affectionately known, were thrashed by 97 runs by Australia in their opening match of the tournament, and with the Aussies so dominant in the women’s game, you already have the feeling that the other four teams in Group A will be competing for second place.
Bangladesh is the other side of the group.
The Proteas sit fifth in T20 cricket with New Zealand in third place. Sri Lanka is eighth and Bangladesh is ninth.
Proteas World Cup Matches:
v New Zealand, February 13, Boland Park, 7pm
v Australia, February 18, St George’s, 7pm
v Bangladesh, 21 Feb, Newlands, 7pm
