Marizanne Kapp confirmed she is an all climate, all-conditions and all-situations match-winner but once more with a player-of-the-match efficiency in Sydney that took South Africa over the road towards Australia for the primary time of their ODI historical past, and he or she is aware of the importance of this outcome.

"It's a proud moment," Kapp mentioned, "not only for me but for South African cricket as a whole. We all know we've never beaten Australia in a one-day game. So, to be able to perform and help my team over the line is a massive achievement for me."

It wasn't easy as South Africa's innings was hit by a few rain breaks within the center overs, after they had been despatched in to bat. Kapp wasn't all the time comfy however that did not cease her from grinding away to 75 off 87 balls, which carried the guests to a wholesome complete of 229 in a shortened 45-over innings.

"At first it was okay," she mentioned, "but then I probably got a little bit annoyed because I was worried that the wicket might get too wet and it might make things difficult later on. I definitely felt like at the back end when I batted it got really tough, one or two balls really sprung at me especially off a length.

"I knew It was gonna be robust. In saying that, I knew Australia must bat on it as effectively. So it was one thing that went each methods."

But this was Australia, a team that has sustained long-term excellence thanks to their talent and professionalism. However, this was also a team in transition. They no longer had Meg Lanning, who had led them from the front for nearly a decade. And while they still boasted a strong side, they didn't carry that air of invincibility. There's another side to the story though, and it's not all that bad.

"There's positively a change and I've talked about it beforehand as effectively," Kapp said of Australia. "Losing somebody like Lanning, you are by no means going to have the ability to change her, not her captaincy and I do not assume her batting as effectively. I bear in mind too many video games the place we had Australia in bother and he or she got here in to bat and he or she saved them. So, yeah, I feel everybody's catching up a bit around the globe. Even your Associate groups are choosing up towards your lower-ranked groups. It's good for the ladies's sport. It's much more difficult and, hopefully, this may proceed."

Ayanda Hlubi dismissed Ellyse Perry for her first ODI wicket•Getty Images

South Africa themselves are an evolving side looking to fill the void left by Shabnim Ismail, who drew curtains on a 16-year-old career last year. Apart from Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, no bowler in their side has picked up more than five wickets with an average below 30 since her retirement. It led to some introspection and soul-searching within the side.

"We had a [the] odd chat," Kapp said. "I really feel like, loads of instances, we do not wanna communicate straight and say it as it's, and we had that chat. We requested the entire squad to only to go to your room, have a look at your self a bit and are available again with [answers]. It's all the time simple to say, 'it was robust circumstances or they actually bowled effectively,' however we additionally bowl effectively. You need to strive issues and you must be constructive. I really feel like, right this moment, we had been somewhat bit higher at that."

"I'm relieved, I'm not gonna lie." Kapp said of the two youngsters joining the attack. "It meant I may ease off somewhat bit. They're two upcoming children. I like the way in which they bowl. I've seen them within the nets. It's a giant factor to come back for them of their profession.

"It obviously helps when you get a wicket like this to bowl on. But they've been been brilliant. I feel like they have massive careers ahead of them. For now, it's big boots to fill. We all know how good Shabi is and she is missed, I'm not gonna lie, she is missed, but it's good to see different bowlers picking up their hands."

The circumstances had been difficult and South Africa managed to recover from the road this time. What if it occurs once more in two days' time within the collection decider? Kapp not solely dismissed these issues but additionally welcomed the problem.

"I think it's probably the rain that made it so tough," she mentioned. "I think it's usually a flat wicket, it's very good for batting. It was one of those days where it got a little bit too wet and it moved around a bit. So I feel like it'll probably be a little bit flatter the next game. But that's cricket. Look, as an allrounder I get so annoyed when we keep on playing on these flat and low wickets. You want wickets like this where you need a little bit more skill and it brings the bowlers into the game as well."

Ekanth is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo