India’s historic win met with contrasting reactions
India lifted the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 with a resounding 52-run win over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The moment marked a major milestone for Indian women’s cricket, cheered on by legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Mithali Raj, and VVS Laxman, all of whom were present in the stands to witness the landmark victory.
But while the Indian side basked in the overwhelming support of its cricketing greats and fans, the mood in South Africa took a very different turn — sparked by a passionate and widely shared video from South African actress and writer Thanja Vuur.
“Who the hell showed up from South Africa?”: Vuur goes viral
In a strongly-worded Instagram video, Thanja Vuur delivered a scathing critique of South Africa’s cricket establishment and public figures for failing to support the women’s team on their biggest night.
“India, you win this World Cup. Your congratulations is coming. Just give me a few minutes because first I’m gonna tell you why. The reason is you. Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, even VVS Laxman, were there to support you. Who the hell showed up from South Africa? Hm? These ex-cricket players that you love from South Africa, the men… where are they? Oh, this event was not high-profile enough for them. Nobody showed up. I don’t think our minister of sport was there,” Vuur said in the video, posted shortly after the final.
The actress’s remarks quickly gained traction across both South Africa and India, with fans and commentators engaging in heated discussions online about the visible absence of prominent South African cricket figures at the final.
“The girls worked so hard”: frustration over South Africa’s silence
Vuur’s criticism went beyond former players. She also questioned why political and sports leaders, including the Sports Minister, were missing from the stadium — framing their absence as a signal of indifference.
“The girls worked so hard. They did so well. But what does it feel like when none of these people show up? Did they just think we were gonna lose? Is that the message they’re sending?” she asked in the same video.
Her comments have since ignited a wider debate in South Africa around institutional support for women’s cricket and whether the team is being taken seriously despite consistent performances on the international stage.
Indian fans and legends praised for their support
While criticizing her own country’s silence, Vuur praised Indian fans for their unwavering belief in their team. She pointed to the presence of legendary players in the stands and the energy throughout the stadium as signs of a cricket-loving culture that genuinely values women’s sports.
“You guys live and breathe this sport… It is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You are the winners of this World Cup. And you know what? You deserve it,” she said in closing.
Her remarks resonated deeply with Indian audiences, many of whom responded with appreciation and agreement across social media platforms.
South Africa’s head coach reacts to the final
Despite the disappointment of defeat, South Africa’s head coach Mandla Mashimbyi offered a composed take on the final, praising his team’s effort — especially with the ball.
“The way India played the game, they came out hard in the first 10 overs. We pegged them back in the last 40 overs. There was a time we were expecting them to score 350, 360. For them to not get to 300 was really a good effort from our bowlers,” Mashimbyi told the media after the match on Sunday.
South Africa’s chase, led by a century from Laura Wolvaardt, had at one point looked promising before collapsing under pressure as India’s bowlers tightened their grip.
A national moment, and a missed opportunity
The Indian women’s team celebrated in front of a roaring home crowd, lifting the trophy for the first time in their history. The match marked South Africa’s third consecutive appearance in an ICC women’s tournament final — and their first in an ODI World Cup final — but the absence of symbolic support from their country’s elite left many feeling that a major opportunity to honour the team’s achievement had been missed.
As Thanja Vuur’s viral video continues to stir debate, the broader question it raises remains clear: what does genuine support for women’s sport look like — and who actually shows up when it matters most?
