The pain of losing the T20 World Cup final to New Zealand in October still lingers for Proteas bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Despite the heartbreak, she remains determined to one day lift the World Cup trophy.

Mlaba was instrumental in South Africa’s successful World Cup campaign, consistently delivering crucial breakthroughs with her accurate bowling. Her impressive performance included a remarkable 4/29 against the West Indies and key wickets in the semi-final and final.

However, the disappointment of the final loss is still evident. “We will come back,” she vowed.

“Yes, we still hurt, we still trying to heal from the heartbreak of the World Cup, we are going to come back.” 

Mlaba’s outstanding performances earned her the KZN Sportswoman of the Year award, along with a VW Polo from Joma Sports. She attributes her success to teamwork and hard work. “It’s teamwork, honestly,” she emphasized. 

“As much as I did bowl a few, like hitting the stumps, but it is a teamwork. Because if they were not taking my catches, I would not have taken those 12 wickets. 

“So, it’s a teamwork; it shows how we are working as a team and I feel like in that competition we were together, we worked together as a team and we had one goal which was to win the World Cup.”  

While the World Cup loss was a setback, Mlaba remains optimistic about the future. She is eager to lead the Proteas to victory in the upcoming home series against England. “We have an Incoming Home Series against England and we are willing to show them what we are made of, especially playing at home. We are going to use the home-ground advantage.”

On getting the KZN Sportswoman of the Year at the gala awards for the second year running, Mlaba, who defeated Nozipho Ntshangase (netball) and Tayla Kavanagh (surfing), said she felt that it was deserved. 

“I did not expect it,” she said.  

“But I’m very happy because I have been working hard. As much as other people also deserves it, but felt like I also deserve it because of the hard work I have been putting in.  

“I mean, I had a great tournament, a great World Cup even though we didn’t bring the trophy at home, but it was just hard work.”