The Neutral’s Heartache: When Two Deserving Teams Collide.

#Part 6 of the Spotlight Series

20.10.2024

As I sit here and prepare for what could be the most heart-wrenching final I’ve ever watched, I realize this game isn’t just about the bat and ball anymore. It’s about redemption. It’s about giving every fan from Auckland to Cape Town a moment to finally believe their team can win.

Think about South Africa—always the bridesmaid, never the bride in ICC tournaments. The painful semifinal losses, the devastating exits, and the gut-wrenching moments that made every South African fan cry, 'Why cricket gods, why?' And then there's New Zealand, the masters of near misses. If there’s ever been a team that’s flirted with victory only to have it snatched away at the last second, it's the White Ferns. Just when you think they've got it; heartbreak rears its ugly head.

These two teams aren’t the usual heavyweights, and that’s what makes this final feel different—dare I say, even personal. Australia and England have ruled women’s cricket for so long, it feels refreshing, doesn’t it? To see two teams that have clawed their way through, breaking down barriers, overcoming losses, and proving that grit and heart matter more than big names or reputations.

But here I am, emotionally torn. If South Africa win, I’ll cry for Marizanne Kapp, who’s been fighting the good fight for years, never getting her moment of glory. And if New Zealand win, I’ll cry for Sophie Devine, the fearless leader who’s been one of the most underrated captains in the game. How do I root for one without feeling like I’ve betrayed the other?

Sport is never fair, is it? There will be a winner, and there will be a loser. But this match feels different. Both teams deserve their moment of glory. It’s not just about breaking records or lifting trophies—it’s about rewriting history. For years, these teams have flirted with greatness, only to leave with the sting of “almost, but not quite.” But this time, it feels like destiny is knocking on the door for both of them.

For South Africa, this is about shedding the painful label of "chokers"—a tag that has followed them like a shadow for decades. You can’t pretend it hasn’t hurt; it has. But this team, this squad, has a different energy. There’s belief, confidence, and a sense that they’ve finally found a way to exorcise those demons that have haunted them in so many previous campaigns. Players like Laura Wolvaardt, Ayabonga Khaka, and of course, Marizanne Kapp—names that have been around long enough to know what it feels like to lose the biggest matches. But this time, you can sense they’re carrying the weight of all those near-misses into this final, ready to finally lay it all to rest.

Then, there’s New Zealand. If any team knows heartbreak, it's them. They've been here before—so close, yet so far. The White Ferns are veterans of “what could have been” moments. Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, legends of the game, have watched as other teams lifted the trophies they've dreamt of holding. And you can’t help but feel, deep down, that they’re thinking, “Is this our time? Is this finally our moment?” Devine’s last assignment as captain feels poetic. There’s a sense of finality to this—her last chance to cement her legacy with a trophy that has eluded her for so long.

But this match isn’t just about the players. It’s about the fans—those die-hard supporters who have lived through every high and low with their teams. The South African fan who still remembers the tears of 2017, and the Kiwi fan who watched in disbelief as the 2019 Men's World Cup slipped away. For them, this final isn’t just a game—it’s a shot at redemption, a chance to see their team finally rise to the occasion. And whether they win or lose, just being here, on the brink of glory, feels like a victory in itself.

For the neutral supporter like me? Well, it’s a mess of emotions. You can’t pick a side because both sides have been through so much. The tears will come either way, because watching someone win their first world title is always special. But watching the other team lose…that’s the part that breaks your heart. Especially when they’ve fought so hard to get there.

Maybe that’s the essence of sport, though—the joy and the pain intertwined. The hope that, one day, no matter how long it takes, your team will have its moment. And for South Africa and New Zealand, that moment is just 40 overs away (give or take). The question is—who will seize it?

So, here’s to the final. Here’s to the heartache, the joy, the history that’s about to be made. I’m ready with my tissues, because no matter the result, I know I’ll be crying. Whether it’s for Kapp or Devine, for South Africa or New Zealand, I’ll be shedding tears for a sport that can break your heart and heal it all in the same breath.