South Africa receive honours at Recognition of Sport Excellence Award

South Africa reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia in March after finishing on top of Group B and narrowly missed out on the final after losing to eventual winners Australia in a closely contested rain-reduced match.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) congratulated the South Africa head coach Hilton Moreeng, the captains Dane van Niekerk, Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt and the entire squad on the award win.

“This is a wonderful and most deserved award to our ladies who continue to go from strength to strength and serve as a source of inspiration and pride to all of us,” Pholetsi Moseki said. “Our heartfelt congratulations go to our head coach Hilton Moreeng, our captain, Dane van Niekerk, her two most able stand-ins, Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt, and all our players, management and support staff.”

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In 2020, South Africa beat New Zealand 3-0 in New Zealand before reaching the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia. Coming back to cricket after the COVID-19 pandemic induced break, they beat Pakistan 3-0 in the ODI series and 2-1 in the T20Is. In March, they had a successful tour to India where they beat the hosts 4-1 in the ODI series before winning their first ever T20I series against the hosts.

Thank you Minister @NathiMthethwaSA for the special Recognition of Excellence Award last night. So blessed to be a part of this team! #momentumproteas 🇿🇦🏏 pic.twitter.com/bE396a77Lw

— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) March 26, 2021

“In the past 15 months the Proteas have produced one highlight after another, including an historic clean sweep ODI series victory over New Zealand ‘down under’ and reaching the semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup in Australia and now they have had their most successful ever tour to India that included victory in both white ball series,” Moseki added.

“They thoroughly deserve every accolade that has come their away and they are playing a major role in fulfilling our vision of excellence and accessibility to all, of which gender equality is an important component.”