The newly appointed Proteas interim captain, Laura Wolvaardt, is excited by the prospect of the sport becoming professional for women in South Africa.

Earlier in the week Cricket South Africa launched the Professional Women’s League in a groundbreaking moment for the sport in the country.

The league will comprise of the Free State, Western Province, Titans, Lions, Dolphins and the Garden Route Badgers.

Women’s cricketers will now receive the same pay and benefits as the men and for the national side it will increase their pool of players going forward.

The move will encourage girls and aspiring women’s cricketers to explore the spot as a career option.

The star batter, Wolvaardt who recently moved from Western Province to the Titans, told OFM Sport that this will benefit the national team in the long run.

“It's such exciting news and it's something that has been due to happen for a long time,” said Wolvaardt.

“It's something that a lot of players before me have worked hard to achieve, so I think some of the older players will be as excited as I am that this is happening.

“It's incredible that girls have a bit more of a pathway now to come through to the Proteas. It has always been a challenge as in the past there was not always that much support outside of the Proteas.

“Now having this, I'm really looking forward to the future. We'll be able to keep a lot more girls in cricket and have them actually see it as a viable career option and that there are clear pathways to get to the Proteas.

Wolvaardt added that it will give the national side a bit more freedom to play their natural game.

“I think that it will take a little pressure off of the nationally contracted players as well. Because you will sort of have that safety net to fall back on. Hopefully we will be about to play with a little bit more freedom to play knowing we have that to fall back on.”

The Proteas will depart for Pakistan on Saturday for their historic tour to the subcontinent.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport