After South Africa secured a five-wicket win against Australia in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 semi-finals, opener Jemma Botha admitted that she was nervous when heading out to bat.
South Africa was on the verge of chasing 106 runs against Australia to secure a spot in the U-19 World Cup finals but said talking to head coach Dinesh Devnarain and having Simone Lourens alongside calmed her.
“I think before the game I spoke to the coach because I was really nervous. But nerves are good. It means that we care,” Botha said after South Africa’s five-wicket win.
“And I think if you don’t have nerves going into a semi-final, then you’re not human. Going out to bat with Simis [Lourens] is always nice. I think we complement each other in many ways. She really helps with a lot of my anxiety and my nerves.”
South Africa book a place in the #U19WorldCup final with a comfortable win against Australia 🏆
#SAvAUS 📝: https://t.co/vJaOrv8Mzb pic.twitter.com/gaCWyFFJCj— ICC (@ICC) January 31, 2025
Botha had stromed out, smashing five fours and two sixes in 24 ball off 37 to set up a solid foundation for the chase. Riding on her knock, South Africa raced to 50 for 2 in the powerplay which made the task easier for the rest of batters.
Meanwhile captain Kayla Reyneke Shepheerd the team towards the finishing line. “Simis going early was… I had a stressful moment there, but then I knew that it wasn’t about my stress or Simis’ wicket because there are still other batters and it’s not about us, it’s for the country,” Jemma Botha said.
“And I think the country really needed us to go to the final and they need us to win it. So I’m happy that we can do this for them.
“There was a lot of nerves and anxiety throughout the batting innings, but I’m glad that we [are] in the final.”
This is South Africa’s maiden appearance at Women’s U19 World Cup final. They failed to make it to the semi-final in 2023 on run-rate but this time they have undefeated run in the tournament.
“I think the 2023 group feels it the most because missing out due to net run rate is not the best thing,” Jemma Botha said. “And a lot of the management really deserve it because they put in so much hard work and so many hard hours.
“I think us coming off and doing what they say is our way of thanking them for all that they do for us. Yeah, I think [the] 2023 group is really happy. I know some of the girls back home are watching us.
South Africa will be played against India in the final at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on February 02.
