Six days ago in Guwahati, Proteas skipper Wolvaardt was facing up to the media after her side had been bowled out for 69 in a 10-wicket thrashing by England.
“We will put this behind us as quickly as we can,” she said. But even she could not have expected what has followed.
They cruised to victory over New Zealand to get themselves back on track. One win, one loss after two games against their biggest competitors for a top-four place.
Australia and India were supposed to be a level above, so facing the co-hosts had the potential to scupper South Africa’s momentum all over again.
Instead, they’re flying with belief that a semi-final spot might only prove another step in a glorious comeback story.
De Klerk’s innings of a lifetime, in which she cleared the ropes at will and left India’s star-studded side reeling, will quite rightly take the headlines.
It is a knock that will have her front and centre of opposition plans before they play South Africa in future.
“That was incredible,” Wolvaardt said. “I don’t think I’ve seen something like that in all of my career.
“That innings that Nadine played was very special. I’m lost for words.”
What made it so remarkable was not just the ball-striking but the composure and mental resilience.
That started with Wolvaardt and Tryon, who refused to give up on a match that seemed lost – with one dreadful batting collapse already in this tournament, it would have been easy to surrender to another.
Instead, they dug in and gave their side a chance. De Klerk and Tryon got them that much closer but even when the latter was dismissed, it could have turned into a familiar tale of a side valiant in defeat.
However, De Klerk held her nerve and saw it through. Forget chokers, this World Cup’s comeback queens are proving themselves to be as resilient as they come.
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