Lizelle Lee and captain Dane van Niekerk retired amid controversy over fitness requirements.

Internationally, Mignon du Preez and most recently Shabnim Ismail have retired, breaking the backbone of their side for over a decade.

Though ultimately defeated by Australia, they reached their first World Cup final despite the chaos.

Marizanne Kapp, the talismanic all-rounder, has stayed strong throughout and remains motivated to guide the young team.

“The past year has been really difficult,” Kapp, 33, told Sport.

Since those players built us up over 14 years to reach a place where we could reach a World Cup final, it did make the World Cup a bit harder for me personally.

As a player and as a friend, I came to love them.”

In addition to starring in franchise and international cricket, Kapp made her South African debut in 2009.

South Africa’s next assignment, a tour to Pakistan, which starts on Friday, will be her first without her closest team-mates.

When asked about her desire to continue playing international cricket with franchise leagues increasing, Kapp replied, “My heart is still with South Africa.”.

“I would like to play as much as I can and help the younger players as much as I can in my last few years. We have worked so hard and I do not want this team to slip backwards.

After losing so many international caps, it might be a tough couple of months or years, but I want to make sure we get it right.”.

“We need to stay a team that competes at World Cups, not just turn up.”

South Africa will also be led by Laura Wolvaardt after Sune Luus – who led them to the World Cup final – stepped down earlier this month.