Having fallen agonisingly short in successive global finals in 2023 and 2024, South Africa head into this year’s tournament with two of the country’s greatest cricketers reunited for another crack at cricket’s biggest prize.
Known affectionately as “Cherry & Berry”, Kapp (36) and Ismail (37) shared the opening bowling duties for South Africa for more than a decade between 2009 and 2023.
In the process, the duo formed one of the most feared pace partnerships in international women’s cricket and have now reunited for the 2026 T20 World Cup being played in England and Wales.
The unusual nickname dates back to their time with the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
“I think I’m Cherry,” joked Ismail.
“And I’m Berry,” added Kapp.
“We only loved the cherry and berry-flavoured Hydro tablets. After that, everyone just kept calling us Cherry and Berry,” Kapp explained.
Behind The Scenes On Media Day. 😁📸
Smiles, cameras and plenty of personality as #TheProteas stepped in front of the lens ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. 🇿🇦🏆#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/UKEUT0Jjok
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) June 10, 2026
However, up until recently it was not a given that the duo would ever feature together for South Africa again.
Kapp was battling health concerns and Ismail had stepped away from international cricket and was only playing franchise cricket.
“I was first worried just to be here,” Kapp said.
“I’ve been nagging her for a few months, or years, to come back,” Kapp added. “Then a week before it got announced, she messaged me and said, ‘I’m coming back for this World Cup.’ I was very happy.”
READ: T20 World Cup: Proteas Women in ‘Group of Death’
“It’s incredible,” said Ismail. “Our stats speak for themselves. I’m happy again to be opening the bowling with Kappie. The way we complement each other on the field, I don’t think any other team has what we have.”
The pair have set their sights firmly on getting across the line in a major tournament.
“You can have the best career and the best stats, but if you don’t have a World Cup, it’s just not the same,” said Kapp.
“That’s the main goal, to win a World Cup for South Africa. We’ve been so close so many times now. Hopefully, we can go all the way.”
Ismail added: “I don’t think any words can actually describe what it would mean for us to win the World Cup.”
Proteas Women T20 World Cup Fixtures
13 June: Australia vs South Africa, Old Trafford, Manchester 3:30pm)
17 June: South Africa vs Pakistan, Edgbaston, Birmingham ((7:30pm)
21 June: South Africa vs India, Old Trafford (3:30pm)
25 June: South Africa vs Netherlands, Bristol County Ground, Bristol (7:30pm)
28 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh, Lord’s, London (11:30am)
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
