If there was a recipe for baking professional sportsmen and women, the two most essential ingredients would be talent and hunger for success. But there are two other critical ingredients without which the bread would flop: Inspiration and belief.
Athletes are fuelled by inspiration that comes from a wide variety of sources, from parents to teachers, coaches, current and historic sports stars, and the performance of winning teams – especially winning underdogs.
When they can see that others can do it they begin to believe that they can, too.
Winning doesn't necessarily require winning the World Cup, though that's a pretty fair measure of success.
Besides their talent and drive, winning underdogs are gritty, they make the best of their circumstances. They are humble. They look, listen, learn and grow, and when they are ready, like bursts of sunshine, they break through the clouds.
In a bleak season of global pandemic, shutdowns and hardship, our Proteas Women's Cricket team deserve special applause. They have inspired their fellow athletes, and inspired the nation.
Although they won't attract the same level of commercial support as the men's team, they can no longer be disregarded as cricket's poorer relations.
They came home from their recent tour of India having thrashed their highly rated hosts in both T20 and ODI formats, rising to second position on the international ODI table – in the process significantly outperforming recent results achieved by the men.
They did not just win but have grown a winning culture both on and off the field.
The last time they went to India they returned with tails between their legs. This time, the team, smoothly coached by Hilton Moreeng, featured a clutch of stars who through talent, grittiness and self-belief have become icons of the global women's game.
Shabnim Ismail is number two in the T20i bowling rankings and fourth on the ODI list. Marizanne Kapp is third on the ODI bowling list, and the number one allrounder in the format. Lizelle Lee is now ranked second on the ODI batting list. Others, such as Laura Wolfaardt and Ayabongo Khakha, are climbing the ladder.
They are athletes to be reckoned with, and key members of a team that is doing us proud.
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