Four months ago, Kayla Reyneke was celebrating a dream Proteas Women debut. Today, the 20-year-old allrounder finds herself in an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, completing a remarkable rise that has established her as one of South Africa’s brightest young talents.
From earning Player of the Match honours on her T20 International (T20I) debut against Pakistan to playing a crucial role in South Africa’s dramatic one-day international (ODI) victory over New Zealand, Reyneke has announced herself on the international scene with performances that have showcased a big-match temperament beyond her years.
Now, in her first senior World Cup campaign, the former SA under-19 captain is embracing the opportunity to represent her country on the game's biggest stage, alongside many of the players she once looked up to as role models.
In the second episode of The Proteas’ Undeniable Chats, Reyneke reflects on her whirlwind introduction to international cricket, discusses handling expectations, and shares what the team's belief means to her as South Africa continues its pursuit of a maiden World Cup title.
Q: Kayla, it's your debut World Cup after your first season for the Proteas. You made an impact in your first ODI and your first T20I. Talk us through the excitement of being here at your first World Cup.
Reyneke: "I always say how fast things can change in a couple of months, and it's crazy, actually. I'm still trying to let it all sink in. And now, being here at my first World Cup, it's crazy how things can change.
“I'm very excited. First time in the UK also, so it's just amazing that I can live my dream on the world's biggest stage.”
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about being on the world's biggest stage?
Reyneke: “Probably wearing the badge on my chest and taking the field with some of my role models. That's probably what I look forward to the most. And obviously, playing at really cool grounds here in the UK. It's probably a dream come true."
Q: Which ground would you most like to play at?
Reyneke: "Lord's. That's an iconic ground on its own. Hopefully, I do get the chance, but other than that, just being here is an amazing experience."
Q: You've burst onto the scene as a youngster. How do you deal with the expectations that come with being such a highly rated young player?
Reyneke: "I think in any sport, not just cricket, there will always be that kind of expectation with any youngster coming into a new space and representing their country on the world's biggest stage.
“But it's also about the support that you have around you and the people who really look after you and take good care of you. It's also trusting your preparation and the hard work that you've put in and it's just believing that you actually can do it."
Q: How do you see your role in the team, both with the bat and the ball?
Reyneke: "I had a discussion with Coach Mandla (Mashimbyi), and it's been made clear that I'll be the finisher. With the ball, it's about being flexible as a player and helping the team as much as possible. So yeah, just contributing in the best way I can."
Q: As a former SA Under19 captain who went to two World Cups, is captaining South Africa at the senior level something you dream about one day?
Reyneke: "Yeah, it's definitely a dream that I always think about, and it's in the back of my mind. But as of now, I just want to enjoy my cricket, and I don't want to look too far ahead. I literally just came into this space.
“I just like chatting to Dané (van Niekerk), Suné (Luus) and Wolfie (Laura Wolvaardt). Just the way they carry themselves is a really good example, and they're people to look up to. I always say, be a sponge and learn as much as possible from a captaincy perspective, but also from a player's perspective with bat and ball."
Q: Before the tournament, the team spoke a lot about belief. After reaching three World Cup finals, what does "undeniable belief" mean to you as a player and for the team?
Reyneke: "Just being a unit. It's one thing to say it and then actually do it, but it's about trusting the preparation that you've been putting in, not only from a cricket skills point of view, but mentally and off the field as well.
It's not only you taking the field. You have ten other teammates around you, and obviously, your coaching staff. They also believe in you. It's South Africa as a whole. The country believes in us, and it's only a matter of us believing in ourselves and how we can get over that hurdle."