Proteas women and their World Cup date with destiny: 5 talking points

There's no doubt that the Proteas women are serious title contenders heading into next month's ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand.

The tournament, which runs from 4 March to 3 April, features eight of the world's best sides who will vie for the most coveted piece of silverware in the game.

Despite the untimely injury of skipper Dane van Niekerk, the Proteas have sent a strong 18-player travelling squad and left South Africa on Monday evening.

Suné Luus (captain) (Titans Ladies), Chloé Tryon (KZN Coastal), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Lara Goodall (Western Province), Laura Wolvaardt (Western Province), Lizelle Lee (Dragons), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Masabata Klaas (Dragons), Mignon du Preez (Titans Ladies), Nonkululeko Mlaba (KZN Coastal), Shabnim Ismail (KZN Coastal), Sinalo Jafta (Western Province), Tazmin Brits (Dragons), Trisha Chetty (KZN Coastal), Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions)

Traveling reserves: Andrie Steyn (Western Province), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Raisibe Ntozakhe (Lions)

The Proteas come off a 2-1 ODI series win against the West Indies this past weekend and have now recorded five consecutive one-day series wins.

Despite Cricket South Africa's (CSA) off-field issues, the Proteas will now embark on their biggest test in New Zealand as the second-ranked ODI side. 

Here are five SA talking points ahead of this year's Women's World Cup:

Hilton Moreeng's defining moment in New Zealand

It's been a long and hard journey for coach Hilton Moreeng, who first took over a very inexperienced Proteas set-up in 2012.

After his reappointment last year, CSA put faith in the former Free State cricketer and with it came the rise of what is now one of the most consistent teams in the world.

Moreeng has taken the side to two