De Klerk represents a toughness to this South Africa side that has stood them in good stead in recent times, taking them to two T20 World Cup finals.
In 2023, they knocked out England with de Klerk bowling a brilliant four-over spell of 1-17. Last year saw them shock Australia in the UAE.
“We’ve definitely moved away from, ‘we’re just gonna rock up at a World Cup and hope we give one or two teams a good run for their money’. Now we actually feel like we are really competing,” she tells BBC Sport.
Though on both occasions South Africa lost in the subsequent final, de Klerk knows they’re getting close: “Last year, losing against New Zealand in that World Cup final broke a lot of hearts, it was very emotional for a long time after that. So I think it [winning] would just change women’s cricket in South Africa.”
Having been bowled out for 69 against England in their tournament opener, South Africa then went on a five-game winning run for the first time in their history, powering them towards the final four.
Once there, they demolished England by 125 runs. They are on a roll.
Speaking about her group-stage batting exploits, De Klerk adds: “It’s part of my DNA being very feisty and quite aggressive and hating losing. Whenever I’m on a cricket field, I never feel it’s over.
“Even if we need 12 or 14 [runs an over], I don’t feel it’s over. If you have wickets in hand and batters at the crease that are in anything can happen.”
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