Wolvaardt displays mental toughness to steer Proteas into semi-finals: 'Glad I stuck through it'

Proteas opener Laura Wolvaardt was pleased to help steer her side to a Women's T20 World Cup home semi-final following Tuesday's win against Bangladesh at Newlands.

Prior to Tuesday's match, Wolvaardt's highest score in the tournament was 19. But in front of her home crowd, Wolvaardt's match-winning 66 not out helped her country to their third T20 World Cup semi-final.

FIRST TAKE | Proteas celebrated with World Cup dream alive, but making history requires a minor miracle 

Wolvaardt shared a record unbeaten 117-run opening stand with fellow half-centurion Tazmin Brits as they chased down 114 under lights.

Despite the beginning 10-over 'jitters', the Proteas eased to a comfortable 10-wicket victory over the Tigers to end second in Group A behind unbeaten Australia.

Wolvaardt scored her highest T20I innings as she smashed an unbeaten 66 off 54 balls, including seven fours and a six.

"It's been a very frustrating tournament for me so far. If anything, I've been overthinking it a bit, speaking to too many people," Wolvaardt told reporters on Tuesday.

"I'm just really glad I was able to get us a win today. It feels very good to be in a home semi-final."

Wolvaardt had to tap in mentally for her fifth T20 half-century as she looked to play more positively.

"I'm glad I stuck through it and got through a tough patch and didn't throw my wicket away," added Wolvaardt.

"It's just about being more positive, I guess, earlier on in my innings. I played a sweep shot today, which was pretty cool. I don't often do that.

"It's just about trusting those options earlier on and manipulating the field a bit better, I guess."

Nineteen dots in the powerplay seemed costly for Wolvaardt and Brits, with both surviving scares en route to their half-centuries.

It