Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt has stressed the importance of recovery ahead of their one-off women’s Test against Australia in Perth, which starts on Thursday.

Temperatures are expected to reach up to 42°C during the four-day match.

“It’s going to be crazy,” said Wolvaardt of the heat. “I think recovery will be key for us just after a day’s play. It’s not something we’re used to, coming back to back to back. Usually, we get a bit of a rest day after an ODI. The physical and mental preparation will be pretty difficult and something we’re not used to, but we’ll have to deal with it.”

Wolvaardt expects the WACA pitch to offer both spin and bounce.

“I have heard that it’s been turning a bit more lately, and we are expecting it to be pretty bouncy as well. I think it’s going to be the bounciest ground in the world from what I’ve heard. So I did a lot of preparation in the nets, and hopefully, we’re ready for tomorrow.”

South Africa have competed in just 13 women’s Tests between 1960 and 2022, with one win against the Netherlands in 2007 along with seven draws and five defeats. Their last Test took place in June 2022 against England.

Meanwhile, Australia have participated in 78 Tests, winning 21 with 46 draws and 11 losses.

“It’s very special,” said Wolvaardt of the chance to play a Test Down Under. “Australia are leading the way in women’s cricket, and to be able to measure ourselves against them in probably the purest form of the game is an awesome opportunity. We are really excited.

When asked about the prospect of playing more Tests in the future, Wolvaardt said: “I would definitely enjoy that. I love Test cricket. I love watching it. I love all the battles within the battles. I think it would suit my game as well. The rest of our group is also very excited to hopefully play more Test cricket in the future.”

The Test will start at 5am (SA time) and be broadcast on SuperSport Grandstand (channel 201).

Proteas Women Test squad: Laura Wolvaardt (Titans, c), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits* (Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Mieke de Ridder* (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi* (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Masabata Klaas* (Titans), Suné Luus (Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx* (Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (Lions), Delmi Tucker* (Western Province). *Uncapped players

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