Former coach on Proteas superstar Laura Wolvaardt: ‘She played a captain's innings’

Proteas Women’s Laura Wolvaardt played a massive role in helping the team progress to their first ICC Women’s World Cup final this week.

The 26-year-old captain played one of the greatest-ever one-day innings, with 169 from 143 balls, including 20 fours and 4 sixes, to secure a win against England by 125 runs

“They say captains must hold their bat, and that is exactly what she did," says Pillay. "She played a captain's innings and she did it for the team."

She started out playing for the boys’ team at age nine at Parklands College because there was no girls’ team.

“She has played in boys’ teams throughout her career, and that was from U9 to high school; she stood out,” he adds.

Wolvaardt was also head girl, matriculated with seven distinctions, and initially planned to become a doctor.

Despite choosing cricket professionally, she still completed a university degree.

“From a young age, you could see it. She was talented, she was hardworking, she was the star of those teams,” he adds.

To listen to Pillay, Principal at Sunridge Circle High School, in conversation with 702's John Perlman, use the audio player below: