Exclusive: Sinalo Jafta from Rehab to Redemption as the Proteas Star Finds Strength in Sobriety

Sinalo Jafta has achieved incredible highs as one of the best cricketers in the world, and what makes her story even more compelling is how she managed such a feat as she has also overcome addiction.

On October 12, 2022, Jafta checked herself into an alcohol rehabilitation facility in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

At the time, the 27-year-old could have been forgiven for thinking her career with the Proteas women’s team could be over.

Flash forward to 2025, and Jafta is coming to three years sober and has firmly entrenched her position as one of the stalwarts of the South African team.

Since making her debut for South Africa in 2016, Jafta has gone on to earn 95 caps across all three formats as she forms a vital cog of a powerful Proteas lineup.

Jafta's Journey: Embracing Sobriety One Day at a Time

When asked how she turned her life around, Jafta revealed how she instead saw it as starting a new chapter in her life.

“I don't see it as success. For me, it's literally just the 24 hours that is very important to me. And I think when I went into treatment, that was the one thing that I wasn't focused on. I was more focused on what I am doing outside of the game," Jafta told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.

“But then as soon as I got there, they literally said focus on 24 [hours] and how you see cricket and how you play cricket. You literally focus on that day because that's the most important.”

As any Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) teachings will preach, it’s about living one day at a time. This is a philosophy that the 30-year-old sticks to religiously.

“If I think too far ahead, I don't know whether relapse is coming tomorrow. But if I know that I'm sorting out what I'm meant to do today, I won't relapse tomorrow. It's more like a domino effect. And I think anyone that's going through anything with addiction or with sobriety in general, it's okay."

“I think if someone told me that it was okay and [if I had] asked for help, I think that's the biggest thing. There's nothing to be ashamed of because your story is not done yet."

“And I always think of life as chapters. It was just another chapter of my life. So now I'm looking forward to the rest.”

Breaking the Stigma: Jafta’s Journey Highlights Mental Health and Addiction Awareness in Sports

While it’s always viewed with a sense of stigma if any sports person admits to a struggle with mental health and/or addiction, the most important thing for Jafta was the willingness to first admit there might be a problem.

“I always say I know a few people within cricket or football or whatever, where there is an element of struggling with addiction. And I think once you open yourself up as yourself, being sober, I kind of use it as a platform to say to someone: Hang on, you still have a chance."

“And I think that's what I've always tried to portray. Yes, you might have messed up somewhere, but that doesn't mean that it's the final story. I think if you put in the work, it will always multiply into something great."

A changing public perception of mental health issues has certainly helped, Jafta explains.

“Yes, I think there's a really conscious mindset [now] because sometimes you won't understand why a player is going through such a ditch, but you don't know where that player is."

“And I think it's that, I'm not saying level of grace, but I think one has to step back and be like: Where I'm sitting, I've also struggled with something.”

“And I think it's just awareness from everyone around, whether it's spectators, fans, coaches, players, and I think it's always just being vulnerable enough to say: Hang on, I'm struggling here.”

“And I think it's just be open because you're helping the next person by you being open.”