“The fire is burning a little bit more": South Africa's raw reactions after semi-final triumph
Walking around the ground in a lap of honour, the team thanked friends, family and fans that packed into the ground at Cape Town.
Together arm in arm in celebration, Chloe Tryon and Shabnim Ismail paid tribute to all those that made the events of the 40 overs so special.
“It’s surreal,” the pair expressed in unison, before Tryon added: “The crowd behind us was amazing, we couldn’t have done it without them as well.
“The atmosphere was amazing and they kept getting us in there (the game).
“The fire is burning a little bit more (for the final) and it was just amazing to be part of it.”
Looking to Sunday final against Australia, the pair made sure to remind those around Newlands that they have the chance to see history unfold.
"We’d love you guys to come out and support us and watch us potentially win the World Cup which would be awesome,” Tryon implored before an Ismail interjection: “Not potentially! Watch us win the World Cup at home!”
Ayabonga Khaka was pivotal in the win, taking 4/29 (4), of which three wickets came in a pivotal 18th over of England's chase.
The canny seamer claimed Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone and Katherine Sciver-Brunt to swing the game in South Africa's favour, sending the crowd into raptures.
Khaka hopes the fans bring the noise not only on Sunday, but in future women's internationals on home soil.
“It's been amazing, especially at home," she said.
“Now we have a crowd like this. And I hope that after the World Cup the crowd will come and support us too.”
As for reaching the final, the 30-year-old feels it's a just reward for the progress of Proteas cricket.
“We’ve been in semi-finals for so long. I think we deserve to be here. We will be working hard."
“I think it was a great achievement for us.
“We’re looking forward to see how we’ll do in the final."
One player who will surely play a key role on Sunday is left-arm orthodox spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Almost in tears on-field after Friday's emotional victory, a rematch with Australia can't come soon enough.
"I'm very excited and I can’t wait to play the final, for the first time, at home," Mlaba said.
“I’m so emotional right now. We’re so excited, the way we played, which was to play for the finals, oh my god. I don’t even know what to say! I don’t have words!”
Mlaba claimed the vital wicket of Meg Lanning in their group stage encounter six days ago in Gqeberha, firing into the leg-stump and beating the Australian skipper's lap sweep.
From 2020 #T20WorldCup semi-final heartbreak to booking their spot in the 2023 final.
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2023
South Africa have come a long way 👏 pic.twitter.com/QW6s5EzISL
Behind the stumps on that night was a jubilant Sinalo Jafta with the gloves, who was equally buoyant after the semi-final win.
“Oh, man, it's so flipping amazing. Come on, man! See you Sunday," she said.
“(I’m) definitely excited. I think it's a good opportunity (on Sunday). These girls deserve it.
“We’ve started. We've got it.”
