Latest news with #SinaloJafta
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta and her path to redemption through sobriety
Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta is widely heralded as one of the best cricketers in the world, but she is also a great advocate for overcoming addiction and the stigma surrounding the issue. In late 2022, Jafta was voluntarily admitted to an alcohol rehabilitation facility in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Back then, the 27-year-old could have been forgiven for thinking her cricketing career may already be over. Now Jafta is coming up to three years sober, and is one of the fixtures of the South African team. Since her debut for South Africa in 2016, Jafta has made 95 appearances across all three formats, solidifying her place in the Proteas side. When asked how she turned her life around, Jafta revealed how she instead saw it as starting a new chapter in her life. 'I don't see it as success. For me, it's literally just the 24 hours that is very important to me. And I think when I went into treatment, that was the one thing that I wasn't focused on. I was more focused on what I am doing outside of the game," Jafta told in an exclusive interview. 'But then as soon as I got there, they literally said focus on 24 [hours] and how you see cricket and how you play cricket. You literally focus on that day because that's the most important.' As any Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) teachings will preach, it's about living one day at a time. This is a philosophy that the 30-year-old sticks to religiously. 'If I think too far ahead, I don't know whether relapse is coming tomorrow. But if I know that I'm sorting out what I'm meant to do today, I won't relapse tomorrow. It's more like a domino effect. And I think anyone that's going through anything with addiction or with sobriety in general, it's okay." 'I think if someone told me that it was okay and [if I had] asked for help, I think that's the biggest thing. There's nothing to be ashamed of because your story is not done yet." 'And I always think of life as chapters. It was just another chapter of my life. So now I'm looking forward to the rest.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta and her path to redemption through sobriety
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta has had an inspiring journey from battling addiction to becoming a champion for sobriety and mental health awareness in cricket. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta is widely heralded as one of the best cricketers in the world, but she is also a great advocate for overcoming addiction and the stigma surrounding the issue. In late 2022, Jafta was voluntarily admitted to an alcohol rehabilitation facility in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Back then, the 27-year-old could have been forgiven for thinking her cricketing career may already be over. Now Jafta is coming up to three years sober, and is one of the fixtures of the South African team. Since her debut for South Africa in 2016, Jafta has made 95 appearances across all three formats, solidifying her place in the Proteas side. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading One Day at a Time for Jafta When asked how she turned her life around, Jafta revealed how she instead saw it as starting a new chapter in her life. 'I don't see it as success. For me, it's literally just the 24 hours that is very important to me. And I think when I went into treatment, that was the one thing that I wasn't focused on. I was more focused on what I am doing outside of the game," Jafta told in an exclusive interview. 'But then as soon as I got there, they literally said focus on 24 [hours] and how you see cricket and how you play cricket. You literally focus on that day because that's the most important.' As any Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) teachings will preach, it's about living one day at a time. This is a philosophy that the 30-year-old sticks to religiously. 'If I think too far ahead, I don't know whether relapse is coming tomorrow. But if I know that I'm sorting out what I'm meant to do today, I won't relapse tomorrow. It's more like a domino effect. And I think anyone that's going through anything with addiction or with sobriety in general, it's okay." 'I think if someone told me that it was okay and [if I had] asked for help, I think that's the biggest thing. There's nothing to be ashamed of because your story is not done yet." 'And I always think of life as chapters. It was just another chapter of my life. So now I'm looking forward to the rest.'
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sinalo Jafta doesn't view Karabo Meso as competition as Proteas Women gear up for Sri Lanka clash
Sinalo Jafta Proteas Women wicket-keeper Sinalo Jafta. Photo: SRI LANKA CRICKET Image: SRI LANKA CRICKET WHEN Karabo Meso was making her come up in domestic cricket, many assumed that Sinalo Jafta would be under the pump for her spot in the Lions women's team in domestic cricket, as well as the Proteas Women side. After all, the 17-year-old Meso is a much more skilled batter than the 30-year-old Jafta. As a result, Meso got the nod ahead of the experienced Jafta in the opening two matches of the ongoing Tri-Nation Series against hosts Sri Lanka and India. Asked on Thursday if she views Meso as competition for her wicket-keeper batter spot in the national side, Jafta emphasised that they are not fighting it out for a position. It's the dawn of a bright new era in South African cricket. 🏏🇿🇦 Suné Luus proudly presented Miané Smit with her ODI cap ahead of yesterday's Tri-Series clash against India. 🧢🔥#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt — Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) May 8, 2025 The 30-year-old highlighted that her job is to play the supportive role to the 17-year-old as she finds her feet in the national set-up. 'I think when we came in the previous camp, the message was pretty clear. It's a World Cup year, so we wanted to ensure that everyone is up to scratch, and I never see it as a competition,' Jafta told the media. 'I always see it as an opportunity for her to grow, because at the end of the day, we all know she is a future wicketkeeper of this team. And for me, I just come in from being a very good supportive role. 'Domestically, she's done a fantastic job for the Lions, and it's an opportunity well-deserved. 'I think for her going forward is to just keep her head right, and she's got a brilliant future ahead of her.' Having lost three consecutive matches on tour, Jafta admitted that their poor fielding performances, particularly in the third match earlier this week, need rectifying going into Friday's fixture against Sri Lanka (6.30am SA time start). 'Fielding needs a lot of work. At the end of the day, for me, it's all about he attitude that you have when you go in there,' said Jafta. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'I think if the first thing you're thinking is like I'm going to miss this, you probably are. I think we should just come with that aggressive approach. 'I mean, this series has just been like one way you can be like, what is going on? Because I haven't seen us put out such performances on the field, because we're usually really big on just our approach on the field.' With South Africa's next fixture virtually a dead rubber, as India and Sri Lanka have secured spots in the series final, the Proteas are looking to finish the tour on a high note. Jafta emphasised that the fixture is crucial for the side as they have a short turnaround between the ongoing tour and the next trip to the West Indies. 'Tomorrow we're going to go out there, give it everything that we have. So, I think for us, it is to end off on a high and going to the Caribbean... it's not that much of a turnaround,' she said. 'It's literally taking care of tomorrow, getting home, working on the specifics and then once we get on the plane to the Caribbean – because I want us to measure ourselves from the tours leading up to the World Cup. 'I mean, we have two more left, and every series we want to grow as a team. 'By the time we get to the World Cup, everything is kind of polished, if that makes sense. 'So, I'm not really worried, because I know that we are a team that reflects a lot and we believe in our talent, and the change-room believes that we can actually get the job done.'
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Women's ODI Tri-Series: We're going to go out there, give it everything that we have, says Jafta
Colombo: South Africa women's wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta believes the team is ready to give its all on the field in their final match of the women's ODI tri-series against the hosts Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Friday. On Wednesday, despite a career-best 81 from Annerie Dercksen and a fighting 67 from stand-in captain Chloe Tryon, South Africa suffered their third consecutive defeat in the tri-series when they went down to India by 23 runs in a high-scoring contest. Their defeat also meant that India and Sri Lanka would meet in the tri-series final on Sunday. For South Africa, the immediate aim will be to sign off from the tour on a high. 'Tomorrow we're going to go out there, give it everything that we have. Coach is always like if everyone does their job 100%, the result tends to take care of itself,' said Sinalo in the pre-match press conference. Despite being winless in the tri-series so far, Sinalo believes the experiences in Sri Lanka will serve the squad well in preparing for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup, set to be held later this year in India. "We actually came in with about six players under the pump, and I think just the character that everyone showed, I'm sure everyone picked up. Yes, we didn't get the W, but a lot of boxes are actually ticked. If you don't look at the result, but look at why we came here, you could get on the flight going back home, at peace.' 'It's all about the journey. Going into India (World Cup), I'm not worried because I know we're a team that knows how to pick up their hands at the right time. So, going into India, we'll definitely be prepped,' she added. Promising wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso made her ODI debut in the opening match of the tri-series, and Sinalo stated she doesn't see the youngster as her main competitor for the keeper-batter's slot. "I never see it as a competition. I always see it as an opportunity for her to grow, because at the end of the day, we all know she is the future wicketkeeper of this team. I just came in from being a very good supportive role. Domestically, she's done a fantastic job for the Lions. It's an opportunity well-deserved.' "I've always had a positive approach in whatever situation I find myself. I tend to find that as soon as you go negative, immediately, people around you tend to be negative. So my focus is to just stay positive as long as possible," she concluded.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Our fielding needs a lot of work': Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta
Jafta believes the SA women's team need to be more aggressive in their approach. They are confident of hitting back against hosts Sri Lanka, but Proteas wicketkeeper/batter Sinalo Jafta admits the SA team need to be more accurate in the field if they hope to secure a consolation victory in their last match of the women's ODI tri-series in Colombo on Friday (6.30am start). Jafta missed the first two games of the series, after making way for 17-year-old keeper Karabo Meso, but she did turn out in their third straight defeat of the two-week campaign against India on Wednesday. And while the Proteas women needed to tighten their lines with the ball, and they had struggled to build big partnerships with the bat, Jafta said they also needed to be cleaner and more confident in terms of their fielding. 'It's a no-brainer. Our fielding needs a lot of work. But at the end of the day for me it's all about the attitude you have when you go in there,' Jafta said. 'If the first thing you're thinking is 'I'm probably going to miss this' then you probably are, and I think we should just come with that aggressive approach. 'This series has been one where you can be like 'what is going on?' because I haven't seen us put out such performances on the field… and from my perspective we need to treat it like any other skill. 'Like how you bat and bowl, fielding also needs to be up there if you want to win games.' 'We can get the job done' Despite losing three games thus far in the tri-series, and missing out on a spot in the final to be contested between Sri Lanka and India on Sunday, Jafta said the Proteas were pumped to hit back against the hosts on Friday. 'I've always believed it's all about the journey. Obviously we're going to go out there and give it everything we have,' she said. 'The coach (Mandla Mashimbyi) is always like 'I don't really care about the win' but he believes if everyone does their job 100% the result tends to take care of itself. 'So for us I think it's about ending off on a high… but I'm not really worried because I know we're a team that reflects a lot. We believe in our talent and the change room believes we can get the job done.'
