The six-time champions, Australia, secured their place in the final on Tuesday after cruising to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the West Indies at The Oval. They now await the winner of the eagerly anticipated clash between England and South Africa.

While the Proteas have become regular contenders on the world stage, there is added expectation surrounding this squad. South Africa has reached the finals of the previous two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, as well as the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, and will be determined to take another step towards finally lifting a global trophy.

Marizanne Kapp has delivered with the bat and ball at the T20 World Cup. Photo: ICC

Despite reaching the last four, the Proteas know they have not yet produced their best cricket during the tournament. Their campaign has featured flashes of brilliance, but they are still searching for a complete performance at exactly the right time.

Coach Mandla Mashimbyi could consider freshening up his playing XI, with experienced campaigner Suné Luus and exciting youngster Kayla Reyneke among the options should changes be made for the knockout encounter.

Star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, one of the leading contenders for the Player of the Tournament award, believes the occasion should be approached no differently from any other match. “I always look at it like there are no favourites. It’s whoever rocks up on the day and plays the best cricket,” said Kapp.

“We are experienced and I feel like we’re in a better place as a team after reaching the finals of the last couple of World Cups. But on Thursday, when we rock up here, it’s a clean slate and it’s whoever performs on the day.”

Kapp admitted the Proteas have not yet reached top gear, but believes that could work in their favour heading into the biggest match of the tournament. “We’ve been putting in the hard work and everyone’s been working hard,” she said.

“I actually feel like we’ve probably only performed at about 60%, to be completely honest, but that excites me because I know this team.

“Big players haven’t hit their straps yet, so we have a lot of players who are due. For me, that’s exciting because the best is yet to come. We’re not close to playing our best cricket and hopefully we’ve been saving it for the semi-final.”

The experienced all-rounder also feels South Africa will benefit from having watched Australia and the West Indies play the first semi-final at the same venue, giving them valuable insight into the conditions at a ground where several members of the Proteas squad have limited experience.

“It helps when you know what the wicket and the outfield are like,” Kapp explained.

Kayla Reyneke. Photo: Cricinfo

“We know it’s usually a very flat wicket and the outfield is extremely quick, so I think it’ll be a high-scoring game. But it’s cricket. You can do all the planning in the world, you still have to go out there and perform.

“We’ve been putting in the hard work, all the girls have been working hard, so hopefully we can rock up on Thursday and give it our best.”

With a place in yet another World Cup final on the line, the Proteas will be hoping their finest performance of the tournament arrives when it matters most.

Thursday’s semi-final between the Three Lionesses and the Proteas gets under way at 19:30 at The Oval in London.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm