The Sinalo Jafta story: Rock bottom to redemption

Sinalo Jafta made a remarkable comeback to cricket in Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, having been called up after spending four months in rehabilitation for alcohol abuse. The South African wicket-keeper has made significant progress in her recovery and is now two years sober.

The 29-year-old made her international debut in 2016, idolising wicket-keeping sensations like Sarah Taylor and compatriot Trisha Chetty. Her playtime for the Proteas improved after the retirement of Chetty, and she gradually became one of the regulars in the squad.

However, there are setbacks in almost every sportsperson’s career, and the case was no different with Jafta. She became the victim of online abuse which affected her negatively and led her to find a coping mechanism in liquor. But the coping mechanism soon turned into addiction. After the Commonwealth Games in 2022, Jafta spent a total of four months in rehabilitation, and came back a completely different person ready to get back to the world of cricket. 

Ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Jafta spoke to Women’s CricZone about the beginning of her cricketing journey, challenges faced, social media bullying, rehab experience, coming back to the team and more.

Q: The last two years have been a rollercoaster for you, especially after the Commonwealth Games. How was your four-month rehabilitation period and what did you learn from that experience?

I just remember that I’m actually almost two years sober now. October 12 will be my two-year sobriety date. I think for me, what I've learned is that I don't really have control over anything that I do. I can control how I train, I can control what I eat, but I don't control any outcome in a cricket game. I can't control any life outcomes. And I think I really had to learn that because I wanted to be in control of everything. The first year out of rehab was really tough because I had to kind of relearn everything about professional sport and everything about being a professional cricketer. And then only now I'm finding my feet and, you know, it was a painful journey, but I had to go through it and I'm just glad that I'm sober today.

Q: How much support did you get from your friends, family and teammates during this period?

Funny enough, I think none of my teammates knew. I think they kind of had an idea, but all I know is that, the team doctor knew, the head coach knew, and obviously the team manager had to know. And then obviously the people from Cricket South Africa had to sign off that I'd be taking two months medical leave because that's how long I was in, I was in for two months. And the support that I actually received from them, they literally said, “We don't want you to worry about cricket. Now it's about saving your life potentially,” because I was really going on a downward spiral. And when I came back it was just before the 2023 T20 World Cup when I met everyone for the first time. I think people are like, “Okay.” It makes sense because I left drinking and I came back not drinking. So I think people kind of put two and two together and I think that's the best decision I've ever made in my life.

Q: Can you tell us about the atmosphere in the South African dressing room?

It’s a really nice atmosphere to be around. We’ve got a few youngsters coming in there. They really bring the freshness and you just see the excitement in their faces and that makes you excited too and everyone is just in a good place. We’re looking forward to the T20 World Cup in about a week or two. 

Q: Social media bullying can take a toll on many individuals and you have had your struggles because of it too. How do you deal with it?

I've kind of taken myself away from the platforms that I don't really have a say in. For example, if you take X or Facebook, people can comment at their free will, you can't really (control), so I've kind of removed myself. I don't have those two apps anymore, but with Instagram, I kind of control who can comment. And if I don't follow you, you, you can't comment. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions, but it's how far you will get and to entertain it. I don't entertain it because at the end of the day, you're allowed to have your own opinion. So it is just to try to stay clear of it, especially in tournaments like the World Cup or like now, potentially I choose not to run my own page. If I can have that opportunity to get someone else to deal with it and by the time I log in, I get someone to delete everything.

Q: How long did it take for you to adapt back to the team once you were selected for the 2023 T20 World Cup?

I think I really adapted back in Australia this year. So it potentially took me a year and two months to finally feel comfortable being around the girls and just being unapologetically myself. Because now I was no longer the same person as before, because before I was very destructive. And I think it took me a year, whether it was cricket skills, cricket, everything. It took me a year and a half to actually believe that I belong here. Yeah, it took that long and it took a lot of work.

Q: What are the biggest life lessons you’ve learned so far in your cricketing career?

So far I've decided to just take it one day at a time. I don't have control over the outcome that's going to happen tomorrow. Just work hard, train hard and be a good person on and off the field. That's one thing I hold dear to my heart just to be the same person on and off the field. 

Q: What are your thoughts on the growth of women's cricket in South Africa and how do you think it can improve further?

If you look at the professional league, you look at the two youngsters - Seshnie Naidu and Miane Smit. They are the product of the professional domestic league and they played in the U-19 World Cup. It just means that the growth in the country is happening at a rapid pace. The competition is good within the team environment. So now there's no longer the set amount of players that you will see day in, day out. There are new faces coming in and out and it's always beautiful to see that because that means that the growth in South African cricket in the women's front is growing and also the domestic structures as the national players going back into the domestic. Now it's fully professional, which is absolutely brilliant having fixtures, I mean, having facilities having everything which is beautiful to see.

Q: How much do you think franchise cricket is helping in that regard?

It's helping a lot. You see the likes of Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon playing in the leagues outside and whenever they come back, they bring so much more experience. And obviously, I'm one that will ask the questions. I constantly want to improve and just talking to find out it's always improving my game. And I think franchise cricket has helped a lot in the growth of women's sport.

Q: How did your cricketing journey begin?

I actually started in grade eight, and had just entered high school. I used to watch Test cricket during school holidays when I was very young, just visiting my grandad. I saw Makhaya Ntini bowl and I thought I could do the same thing but I’m a wicket-keeper for my current team. I think for me, I always enjoyed cricket. I said to myself, “When I look for a high school, I’m going to find one that has girls’ cricket,” because I had a full on hockey background. So going into high school I knew I was going in for hockey, but having cricket as a summer sport was how it actually started and I just fell in love with it. We used to play both hockey and cricket.

Q: You just mentioned that Makhaya Ntini was your cricketing hero. But unfortunately, you couldn’t pick up fast bowling. What made you choose wicket-keeper as a position?

It happened when we were playing the domestic league. I was 15 at that time, and one of my coaches came to me and told me that there was a spot open for a wicket-keeper. She gave me the gloves, and I didn’t want to do it, but she was really patient. I remember we had sessions and I was like, “I don’t know why I’m doing this.” But I think I got used to it when I was 17 and got to grade 11. I started enjoying it and then I just worked tirelessly to just understand what the role of a wicket-keeper is. And ever since, I don't see myself bowling now, there's no chance. 

Q: What ultimately made you pursue cricket instead of hockey?

In 2016, I just received my call-up against New Zealand. And obviously, I potentially made my debut there, but next month we actually went to Australia. And when I was in Australia, I actually got a call from the head coach of the national hockey team to join for the World Cup happening in the following year and I literally landed from Australia. On the same day, I was driving to the national hockey camp, and when I got there, I got injured within the first two days. At some point, I had to choose between hockey and cricket. Even though I love hockey, I always wanted to be a professional athlete, and in South Africa, hockey is not professional. So, my only option was to go for cricket. 

Q: Is there any franchise team you would like to play for?

If there was SA20, I would like to play for (Joburg) Super Kings because watching (MS) Dhoni growing up was amazing. From the women’s side, I would pick Oval Invincibles. I really like the culture that they have there.

Q: Who is your biggest role model among female cricketers and why?

I always enjoyed watching Sarah Taylor. I didn’t have the luxury of being around her because when I came in, she retired. So just watching the highlights and what she’s done for the game from a keeper standpoint has been absolutely brilliant. And I obviously can’t go too far from home - Trisha Chetty. Sharing the changing room with her and seeing her being involved with the growth of wicket-keepers has been beautiful.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?

I think the biggest (cricketing) challenge was always sitting on the side. I forgot to see that the keeper at that time was Trisha Chetty. She was an absolutely phenomenal keeper. And as a youngster coming in, I never understood that I have to wait for my turn. I wasn’t really patient enough in that aspect. From a personal perspective, I think going into rehab for alcohol was the lowest point of my life. But now that I look back, it was kind of the best time because look where I am now. It saved my life.