Exclusive: CSA Plans to Launch SA20 for Women After Proteas’ Historic World Cup Run

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive, Pholetsi Moseki, vouches to launch SA20 for Women following the Proteas women’s successful ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign in India.

Launching SA20 for Women

The Proteas women became the first senior South Africa team, men and women, to play in an ODI World Cup final when they were edged by 52 runs by India in Navi Mumbai this past Sunday.

Women’s cricket in South Africa has been professional for three seasons following being launched during the 2023/24 season in Johannesburg.

Moseki vouches that the next step, following the Proteas women’s success in India, is to launch the SA20 for women. The Chief Executive says they would look to launch the tournament after the next edition of the men’s SA20.

“Thanks to the government for assisting us in launching the professional women’s domestic league even earlier than we had planned. I think it's one of the things that I'm most grateful for, that we were able to launch a professional women's league, and we've got over 60 players now who are playing full-time. That has done wonders for our pathway,” Moseki told SportsBoom.co.za.

“So, what's next? We need to ensure that we sort out the issue of SA20 for women. It's one of the things that we're going to seriously be looking at. I think for me, that's the next step. It’s the natural progression that we ensure that as soon as possible."

“So, hopefully, the next edition after this, we can actually also launch S20 for women. It’s something that we're going to be discussing with the SA20 board. But I know they're going to be able to support something like that.”

Proteas women’s success

Moseki praised the captain, Laura Wolvaardt and her team, not only for making the final of the ODI World Cup, but for reaching the 2023 and 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup finals as well.

“I think what Laura and the girls have achieved over the last, I should say, three years has been nothing short of amazing. When they say someone is literally punching above their weight, that's what it means. This was their third final in a row, in the last three ICC Senior Women's events,” Moseki told SportsBoom.co.za.

“So it's been quite amazing. There's really something special that they've been in three finals in a row. I know they were gutted on Sunday. I was in India. They were totally gutted. I think they really wanted to get over the line. But you know what I kept on saying to them, that we're extremely proud."

“They should be really, really proud of themselves. We're competing with countries that have The Hundred for Women, WBBL, and WPL. Our professional system for women is still quite new, but they've done so much. I really feel that it's just a matter of time before they lift this trophy. When our teams perform, it makes life very easy for us. Ultimately, we're a sporting organisation.”