South Africa batter Tazmin Brits has made it clear that age will not define her ambitions, with the experienced opener determined to continue her international career and help the Proteas challenge for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2029.
A late entrant to professional cricket after initially excelling as a javelin thrower, Brits did not make her international debut until 2019, with her first ODI appearance coming two years later. Since then, she has rapidly established herself as a key figure in South Africa’s top order, featuring in back-to-back 50-over World Cups in 2022 and 2025.
The 34-year-old played a vital role in South Africa’s run to the final in Navi Mumbai last month, scoring 235 runs during the tournament, highlighted by a magnificent century against New Zealand. Although the Proteas fell short against India in the title decider, Brits believes her journey with the national side is far from over.
Despite the next World Cup being four years away, Brits is confident she can maintain her fitness and continue to evolve her game to remain competitive at the highest level.
“Before the final, the coach spoke to some of the senior players and said this might be our last one,” Brits told SABC Sports.
“I told him not to get rid of me yet. I want to stay as fit as possible, keep improving, and I don’t think I’m done. Hopefully I still have another four or five years left.”
Brits understands that extending her career will require constant adaptation. She recently returned to international cricket during South Africa’s ongoing home ODI series against Ireland, registering scores of 27 and six in her two innings since the World Cup final.
The aggressive right-hander admitted frustration over her dismissal in the opening match of the series, where she holed out after providing a steady start in a chase of 210.
“I didn’t fully commit to the shot,” she reflected.
“I tried to place it between the fielders, but the coach said if I had gone through with it, it probably would have been a six. These moments are all part of learning — sometimes you just need to generate more power. It wasn’t a great shot, but you move on.”
With her mindset firmly fixed on growth and longevity, Brits remains motivated to push boundaries and help South Africa take the final step towards World Cup success in 2029.
