Navi Mumbai, Nov 1 (NationPress) South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt is optimistic that the overwhelming home support for India during the ICC Women’s World Cup final at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai could actually benefit her squad. As the Proteas gear up for their first-ever World Cup final, Wolvaardt expressed that the packed stands and the pressure on the hosts might create additional strain on India.

“This is an exhilarating opportunity, but I believe it also brings significant pressure for them,” Wolvaardt stated before the final. “With the entire nation supporting them, there’s an expectation for them to win. I think this could play to our advantage, hopefully. We’re thoroughly looking forward to the match. They are a formidable team, and we will need to play exceptionally well to secure a victory, but we're thrilled about the chance.”

The final represents a historic moment for both teams—India striving for their inaugural world title in women’s cricket, while South Africa aims to claim their first World Cup trophy. Notably, South Africa has previously dominated their World Cup encounters, leading the head-to-head record 3-0. However, Wolvaardt was quick to downplay any historical advantages, asserting that finals require a new perspective.

“As I mentioned earlier, every cricket match begins at zero. We cannot carry any previous results into this game. Whether they are finals lost or wins against India, we are focusing on starting anew,” she explained. “There is immense pressure on both sides to perform, and I believe that the team that maintains their composure under pressure will likely emerge victorious tomorrow.”

Both India and South Africa have faced disappointment in past World Cup finals, and Wolvaardt emphasized her intention to stay grounded and centered on the process rather than the outcome.

“In those previous finals, or the first time I participated in a final, the trophy and winning were all-consuming thoughts. Now, I’m focused on remaining present. We have a significant game ahead against a high-quality opponent,” she mentioned.

“I’m trying to avoid looking too far ahead. My focus is on what I need to accomplish tonight during practice and what needs to be done tomorrow morning. We need to slow down, take a deep breath, and hopefully, we can collectively manage that,” she added.

For Wolvaardt and her teammates, the final on Sunday transcends merely winning a trophy—it’s about motivating a generation back home.

“Winning a World Cup would be incredibly meaningful for women’s cricket in our country. Recently, domestic contracts were introduced, and I can only imagine the impact of a World Cup victory on young girls watching it on TV, knowing we are a World Cup-winning nation,” she stated, her voice filled with both aspiration and determination.