Few cricketers embody sustained excellence and unwavering spirit quite like Marizanne Kapp. On June 14, as she becomes only the second South African woman after Mignon du Preez to 150 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Kapp stands as a testament to what dedication, skill, and passion can accomplish over a storied 15-year career.
Marizanne Kapp’s cricketing journey started on 10th March 2009 in Newcastle, Australia, a venue and date etched in her memory. At just 19, thrust into the cauldron of international cricket against the mighty Australians, few could predict she would one day rewrite South Africa’s cricketing record books. That first step was the start of an era that has shaped the Proteas Women’s side into a global powerhouse.
Kapp’s career is best defined by her all-round mastery, equally adept with bat and ball. Across 149 ODIs, she has amassed 3,116 runs at a strike rate of 76 and an impressive average of 33.86 in 128 innings, including 15 half-centuries and three centuries with the bat for her side in the format so far.
Kapp’s willow has delivered under pressure, her best coming only a year ago, an authoritative 114 off 94 balls against India at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on 19th June 2024. That knock underlined her big-match temperament and prowess in a stiff run chase.
Marizanne Kapp has been relentless with the ball in hand for South Africa. She has picked up 164 wickets at an average of 24.62 and an economy of 3.81 in 139 innings, including 4 four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul for her side.
Her finest hour for the Proteas arrived on the global stage at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, 14th March 2022, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Against England, Kapp’s spell, 10-1-45-5, ripped through England’s heart and sealed her place as Player of the Match with a performance that will echo through South African cricketing lore.
Kapp’s impact transcends numbers. For 15 years and more, she’s embodied resilience, battling through injuries, adapting her game, and mentoring a generation. While her milestones glitter, it’s her work ethic and example off the field that have inspired countless young girls across South Africa and beyond.
Her versatility has underpinned South Africa’s rise on the world stage. As the backbone of the Proteas’ middle order and a pace spearhead, Kapp’s presence is both a safety net and a launching pad for her team.
As South Africa, under skipper Laura Wolvaardt, marches ahead on their West Indies tour (11th-23rd June 2025), Kapp’s achievement couldn’t be timelier. Although she missed the 1st ODI, she returned for the 2nd ODI against Hayley Matthews’ West Indies on 14th June 2025.
With 150 ODIs, Kapp joins her former teammate and great friend, Mignon du Preez, in rarefied territory—one that reflects elite fitness, adaptability, and a deep love for the game.
Kapp’s journey, at 35 years old, is far from over. With each match, she adds fresh chapters to her legacy. Her achievements not only cement her place among South African cricketing royalty but also lay a path for future generations, proving that with grit and heart, anything is possible.
Cricket, like life, rarely rewards the faint-hearted. Marizanne Kapp’s legacy? Courage, consistency, and an indomitable will. As the sun sets on another historic milestone, South Africa and the entire cricketing world salute one of its finest.
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