Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt: A Dynamic Opening Partnership for South Africa

Since early 2023, Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt have opened the batting together for South Africa 29 times, and during that period, Brits has never felt the need to request the first strike, even while Wolvaardt enjoys a remarkable run of form. “Nope, never. She can have the first ball every day of the week,” Brits stated in an interview with Cricbuzz. “She’s always on the right side of me when we walk over the rope—I don’t know if anyone’s ever noticed that. She has to be on the right side. I think that’s more superstitious from her side.”

Reflecting on the beginning of their partnership, Brits recalled, “When Wolfie and I started opening together, she asked me, ‘Do you want to strike or not?’ and I said, ‘No, you go ahead.’ I was so nervous to face the first ball when I just started.” For Brits, nerves are a constant presence, though she emphasizes the importance of transforming fear into excitement. “I don’t think nerves ever disappear. We just learn how to adapt and not make it nerves of fear but more like nerves of excitement,” she explained. “If someone isn’t nervous when they go out to bat, they need to get hold of me and tell me how they do that because I’ve tried everything, and it just doesn’t work. The only time I’m not nervous is when I’m on 20 or 30 runs—then I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m all right now.’”

As they have developed their partnership, Brits and Wolvaardt have established a routine that symbolizes their complementary roles: Wolvaardt as the aggressor and Brits as the stabilizing presence. While Wolvaardt typically races out onto the field, Brits approaches more leisurely, but when it’s time to bat, both mean business.

In their relatively brief partnership, Brits and Wolvaardt have already made history as South Africa's most successful opening duo. They have accumulated a total of 1,250 runs at an impressive average of 48.07, the highest among the top five active opening pairs globally. Since they solidified their positions ahead of the 2023 T20 World Cup, they have accumulated an outstanding 1,152 runs, unmatched during this time frame.

As the group stages of the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE unfold on challenging pitches, the Brits-Wolvaardt pairing currently leads the partnership charts, amassing 237 runs in four innings at an average of 79. Brits individually ranks at the top of the run charts with 155 runs at an average of 51.66. The duo kicked off their campaign with a dominant 10-wicket victory over the West Indies, where both openers contributed with unbeaten fifties in a 119-run stand—currently the fourth highest in Women's T20 World Cup history. They followed this with a solid 64-run opening partnership against Scotland at the same venue.

Despite their differences in communication styles—Wolvaardt being more reserved and Brits enjoying giving advice—the chemistry between them is vital. “We have an understanding with each other almost without talking or having to call too much,” Brits noted. “We just look at each other and know what we’re thinking without having to say it. And it’s come with the years.” Wolvaardt echoed this sentiment, saying, “We sort of know what to say to each other in tough moments. Whether it’s a small technical thing or a game plan, I feel like we’ve batted enough with each other to know what to say at the right time.”

Skill and understanding are essential in their partnership, especially considering they were once competing for the same position in the batting order alongside the now-retired Lizelle Lee. “We run very well between the wickets, which is actually also quite scary,” Brits commented. “We kind of know when it’s a three and when it’s a quick single, so sometimes there won’t necessarily always be calling.”

In the rapidly evolving landscape of PowerPlay batting, Brits seeks to enhance her skills, particularly in terms of strike rate—her career average hovers just above 106, which she believes doesn't reflect her true potential. A near-fatal car accident has impacted her ability to execute certain shots and movements, yet she adapts her style effectively, complementing Wolvaardt’s more methodical approach. “I like to call myself sometimes a Steve Smith because he doesn’t always look very classy when he plays, but he gets the runs,” she stated. “After my car accident, with the screws in my hip, I struggle to perform certain movements. You’ll hardly see me sweep because my right leg doesn’t really bend.”

“I don’t always look pretty when I play, but somehow I manage to get the ball where I want it to go. Although sometimes it looks like I’m hitting through covers, I’m actually trying to hit to cow,” Brits added. “When I watch my videos, I sometimes think maybe I should bat left-handed; maybe I’d look better that way.”

While Brits admits she possesses power, she recognizes that Wolvaardt generates it more effectively. “She’s definitely improved her game when it comes to power-hitting. She gets into very good positions and makes it look effortless, while I might try and force a shot to get it over the boundary. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t. As long as we accommodate each other, whichever way it comes, then I think we’re doing our job.”

A recent example of their synergy occurred during the first T20I in Chennai in July, where Brits overcame a rocky start and transformed her performance, eventually helping secure a commanding win for the visitors. “Sometimes I do wish I was more explosive at the start, but it’s not like I don’t try—I always show intent. I mean, [Pooja] Vastrakar was bowling that first over in Chennai, and I wasn’t blocking; I was swinging from the hip, trying to generate something, but for some reason that ball didn’t want to go to the bat.”

Brits emphasized her commitment to showing intent, stating, “I would never go to a point where I’m 10 runs off 25 balls and not show intent. I’d rather throw my wicket.”

In this World Cup cycle, South Africa has faced challenges, but the impressive run tally from Brits and Wolvaardt indicates that they are pushing boundaries to keep pace with the evolving batting trends. As they aim to secure a spot in the final for the second consecutive time, the partnership between Brits and Wolvaardt represents the balance of aggression and stability crucial for their success. Together, they stand poised to deliver another remarkable performance as South Africa seeks to achieve the unthinkable.