South African opener Tazmin Brits enters the T20 World Cup playing for more than just cricket—she’s playing for her mom, Zeldine, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Zeldine, who often cheers from the sidelines, won’t travel to the tournament as she undergoes treatment.
Brits has faced numerous personal challenges, including losing her father to COVID-19 in 2021 and suffering a life-threatening car accident in 2011. Originally a javelin thrower set for the 2012 Olympics, the accident left her severely injured, but she fought her way back into sports, eventually choosing cricket.
Since making the national team, Brits has enjoyed her best year in cricket, scoring centuries in ODIs against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and consistently performing in T20Is. She credits her recent success to a focus on improving her strike rate and her “see ball, hit ball” approach.
Despite cricket’s challenges, Brits remains optimistic and even holds onto her Olympic dream, with thoughts of competing in LA 2028. Meanwhile, she focuses on helping South Africa win their first World Cup, a dream she believes could transform the nation. Brits has promised to tattoo the World Cup trophy on her body if South Africa wins, and she remains motivated by her dad’s memory and her mother’s resilience during this difficult time.
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