Dane van Niekerk believes that the Proteas Women can reach the World Cup semi-final despite tight contention at the top of the standings. 

The Proteas skipper believes that team confidence is at an all-time high and will drive the Proteas in their next challenge against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Van Niekerk’s ladies have three victories in the tournament thus far, the latest coming in an 115-run triumph over India on Saturday – a game in which Van Niekerk took four wickets and hit a half-century.

Van Niekerk’s ladies have three victories in the tournament thus far, the latest coming in an 115-run triumph over India on Saturday – a game in which Van Niekerk took four wickets and hit a half-century.

Sitting fifth on the World Cup standings, Van Niekerk admits her team is ready for the match against a tough Sri Lanka side’The performances Sri Lanka has shown in this tournament have been really good,’ said Van Niekerk.

‘The performances Sri Lanka has shown in this tournament have been really good,’ said Van Niekerk.

‘We know how good they are, and we’re not going to go out there underestimating them.

‘We are going to go there to play our best cricket, the way we have been playing and our brand, and hopefully, that is good enough to get another two points.

‘The game against India has been immense for our confidence first of all, and then the momentum going into the next two games.

‘I still wasn’t 100 percent happy with my bowling, so we still have to get back to the drawing board and make sure we tweak the small things and roll teams over when they are down.

‘This tournament is still anyone’s to win. I said it at the start, you’re never quite safe, there will always be upsets somewhere.’

Sri Lanka come into the clash after a 47-run defeat by the West Indies, a team South Africa crushed by 10-wickets earlier in the competition. Despite Sri Lanka’s exit from the group stages already confirmed, the team remains optimistic it won’t leave without a win.

‘South Africa is a good team, they have two or three fast bowlers, but we have played a lot of cricket against them, both home and away,’ said Sri Lanka batter Chamari Athapaththu.

‘We have won a few of those games and I scored a few 50s and hundreds against them. I think we have a chance, and we will do our best.

‘I think our spinners are good but we are struggling in that area on this tour. I think in the next match, Inoka [Ranaweera], Shashikala [Siriwardena] and Oshadi [Ranasinghe] can do very well.’

The Proteas Women will face Sri Lanka on Wednesday at 11:30 SAST.