'Don't think we could have given it a bigger shot' — Sune Luus hopes to strive for Australia's excellence
Despite putting up a par total on board, Australia were just too hot to handle for the hosts, who made it through to their first T20 World Cup final after an incredible win over England in the semis.
The Aussies were different gravy, though, as South Africa would find out on Sunday.
"Obviously they are a world machine," Luus said at the post-match press conference.
Batting highlights as Laura Wolvaardt scored an outstanding fifty for South Africa in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against Australia.
"I think the level of professionalism is insane and I think, their team, the world has been looking up to for a very, very long time and they're the best for a reason. I think, if you look at the structures and pipelines - everything is just lining up and everything is in order.
"So, I think that's something definitely as a country we're striving for. And I think we obviously look at the structures and, you know, want to see what you know how we can do that best in our country as well.
"But obviously the best in the world for a reason. And we can only, try and get better and better to knock on those doors to eventually beat them."
Only two other teams have won the Women's T20 World Cup so far (England in 2009 and West Indies in 2016) with Australia winning six of the eight editions of the tournament. The Meg Lanning-led side completed a three-peat with the title win on Sunday, adding to their triumphs in 2018 and 2020, making it their second hat-trick of T20 World Cup victories.
Players from both teams spoke during the post-match presentation following the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 between Australia and South Africa.
This victory was hard-earned, though, with South Africa threatening multiple times in the game to snatch victory from under their noses.
In their first taste of a tournament final, the Proteas stepped up and produced a solid performance, one they can be quite proud of, and Luus hoped that they have "broken the curse" with their entry into the final.
"We got a sniff of how a final is, and the feelings and the nerves and everything, and I feel now we have a heartache of not winning a final.
"So I think, obviously, getting through that hurdle of the semi-final, I think next year's World Cup, when we get there again, it's not going to be a big thing for us anymore to break that curse or whatever."
Australian captain Meg Lanning and her team celebrated in style as they lifted the trophy at Newlands in Cape Town after beating South Africa in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The skipper took pride in the fact that they could push the Australian side, particularly during a phase when Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon strung together some crucial boundaries to bring the required run rate down.
"I think they did extremely well, and gave Australia a good run for their money.
"I think there was a couple of nerves from their side as well, while Laura Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon were batting, so I think, overall, obviously, not the result we wanted, but just positive feelings and feelings of excitement and proud.
"Now it's just for us to really look at that final and say, OK, cool, how are we going to get through the final and be on the other side of that? I think this was a massive opportunity for our girls."
"I think we've done our best to give the girls in the country the best possible chance. I don't think - obviously would have loved to win, but I don't think we could have given it a bigger shot and more of a chance."