IT has been a remarkable run for the Proteas Women’s team in the last three years, having reached the finals of the last three major World Cups. The team made the finals of the T20I World Cup in 2023 and 2024 and the One Day International final in 2025. South Africa have yet to win it but this June provides the perfect platform for the team as they gear up for the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

We spoke to Durban North resident and rising Dolphins women’s team batting all-rounder Alex Candler (22) ahead of the global tournament.

The Proteas Women are in Group A alongside Australia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Bio: Originally from Howick, Alexandra (Alex) Candler started taking cricket seriously in Grade Seven. While she played mini-cricket in junior school, she was playing hockey and tennis.

After prioritising cricket over her other sporting commitments Candler began her rise to the top, having represented the Tuskers and KZN Inland – she was also selected for the SA Schools team following the 2018 CSA U19 Girls Week.

She moved to Durban after she was offered a Dolphins contract at the start of the 2022/23 season.

Her goal is to make a senior women’s team and in January this year she was part of the High-Performance Skills Camp at the CSA Centre of Excellence in Tshwane.

Where do you see women’s cricket at the moment?

“Women’s cricket is definitely on the rise globally. In South Africa since the introduction of the professional domestic women’s league I feel it has created a lot of depth for the Proteas women’s team. We’ve also made the finals of the last three World Cups, which shows how incredibly talented the team is. I feel there is more exposure for the women’s game which has helped a lot.”

Who is going to win the World Cup?

“It’s a tough one because there are so many top teams who have great players. We (Proteas) definitely have a chance because we have such an experienced side. Australia is always up there, having won it multiple times. I feel we have a good chance.

Who are the players to look out for in this World Cup?

“I think the Proteas women captain Laura Wolvaardt is someone to watch. She has been in some serious form with the bat and really sets the platform for the team. I also think Australia’s Annabel Sutherland is another talented all-rounder to keep an eye on and then you have players like Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues from India.”

What is your favourite World Cup memory?

“It has to be the 2023 final played in Newlands, Cape Town. Even though we lost to Australia the support shown for the Proteas women was incredible. I’d never seen a stadium so full. The vibe and atmosphere made that moment pretty memorable.”

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