India's victory in the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai has sparked cheers across the subcontinent – and a storm of self-reflection thousands of miles away in South Africa.
As India's fans, players and legends celebrated an emphatic home win, a pointed social media post from Cape Town has forced the South African cricket establishment into an uncomfortable national debate.
South African actress, writer and avid cricket follower Thanja Vuur stoked the controversy after calling out the country's former cricketers and officials for their conspicuous absence from the World Cup finals. In a widely shared Instagram video posted from her account @cape_town_cricket_queen, Vuur drew a sharp contrast between India's visible solidarity and South Africa's silence.
“India, you are winning this World Cup. Your congratulations are coming. Just give me a few minutes because first I am going to tell you why. The reason is you,” she began, addressing the Indian fans directly.
She praised the sea of blue that filled the stadium and noted how Indian greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman all turned up to support the women's team on their historic night.
Her tone then changed sharply as she turned her attention to South Africa's own cricket fraternity. “Who the hell came from South Africa? These ex-cricketers you love from South Africa, the men… where are they? Oh, this event wasn't high-profile enough for them,” she said – a quote that has since gone viral in the sporting circles of both countries.
Vuur's frustration extended beyond retired players. “The girls worked so hard. They did so well. But how does it feel when none of these people show up? Did they just think we were going to lose? Is that the message they're sending?” she asked, lamenting the absence of the South African Ministry of Sports and cricket administrators at the final.
Her comments have reignited a wider conversation about gender equality in South African sport. Despite the women's national team reaching its first ever ODI World Cup final, the lack of visible institutional support and fanfare is seen by many as emblematic of the uneven attention paid to women's cricket.
Team India lifts the Women's World Cup trophy
In contrast, India's victory – led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and made possible by record DY Patil crowds – underlined the transformative power of public enthusiasm.
Vuur concluded her message with Indian fans applauding: “You live and breathe this sport… It's breakfast, lunch and dinner. You are the winners of this World Cup. And you know what? You deserve it.”
Her passionate criticism has become a rallying cry in South Africa, where calls are growing for the country's cricket icons and institutions to match the dedication their female cricketers continue to show on the field.
