![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/Talita-SMALL-2-300x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt\u2019s that magical time of year when the cricket calls take a back seat to jingle balls \u2026 and for Talita Wiegand, it\u2019s a well-earned break.<\/p>\n
Fresh off her return from the Indoor Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, SA Ladies Master captain Talita Wiegand is trading wickets for warm family moments and a slice (or three) of her family\u2019s famous chocolate cake.<\/p>\n
To date, she\u2019s been the epitome of cricket queen goals, with a whopping five World Cups under her belt \u2026 Australia, Fourways, England, Cape Town, and now Sri Lanka. The cherry on top? Team SA snagged a podium finish this year, claiming third place. Not too shabby for a sport that still carries the stereotype of being a boys\u2019 game.<\/p>\n
But don\u2019t let her calm, down-to-earth demeanour fool you. Talita believes she\u2019s breaking barriers and paving the way for girls to shine in traditionally male-dominated sports. Such as, well, cricket.<\/p>\n
\u2018It hasn\u2019t been easy,\u2019 she admits. \u2018I\u2019ve been shut down so many times because girls don\u2019t play cricket. But that just made me work harder, to never be shut down again. I\u2019m doing this for the next generation of girls. We can exist loudly, and we will.\u2019<\/p>\n
This passion for the underdog runs deep. Talita considers herself one, and she\u2019s embraced every setback as a stepping stone to something better.<\/p>\n
Her journey spans more than just cricket, though. She\u2019s a sports all-rounder. From touch rugby to softball in New Zealand (a spur of the moment adventure), it\u2019s safe to say that Talita\u2019s adventurous spirit has led her to the farthest corners of sport \u2026 and self-discovery. Because when she plays, she plays hard. Whether it\u2019s on club, provincial or international level.<\/p>\n
\u2018My parents played competitive squash. So, when I was four-years-old, I received my first squash racket. I remember they actually had to saw the handle because it was too big for me. But I was adamant! And so, that\u2019s where my love for anything active developed. It\u2019s part of what makes me, me.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Her cricket journey began almost by accident. Back in 2005, while on crutches no less, she went to support a friend\u2019s game. The team was short a player and asked her to just stand on the court to fill the space \u2026 fast-forward to her being selected for the Provincial Mixed side shortly after. Fate, much?<\/p>\n
Since then, she\u2019s been unstoppable. Talita\u2019s fave memory? Winning the Ladies Masters Indoor Cricket World Cup in 2016. And, being the most capped Ladies Masters Player in SA. Apart from the sport itself, leadership is like second nature to her. She\u2019s been the team\u2019s captain for three world cups in a row now. And her approach to leadership is as genuine as it gets. \u2018Be human. Be honest. Be tough, but approachable.<\/p>\n
\u2018The sport humbles you. You are not bigger than the game. There is always something to learn. The people I\u2019ve met and relationships I\u2019ve formed has also been a crucial part of the sport.\u2019<\/p>\n
When she\u2019s not on the court, Talita\u2019s in the classroom, guiding the next generation as an Afrikaans and Life Orientation teacher.<\/p>\n
\u2018Sport at this level teaches you life skills and perspectives that I just love sharing with my learners,\u2019 And while her cricket dreams are self-funded – indoor cricket remains an amateur sport – she\u2019s quick to add that every sacrifice has been totally worth it.<\/p>\n
At home, Talita is all about balance. Whether she\u2019s cracking jokes, indulging in her caffeine addiction, or unwinding with music (nothing beats the national anthem at a World Cup), she\u2019s a grounded, joyful soul. She\u2019s also a bassist and a sound engineer. And when it comes to water, she\u2019s in her element \u2026 swimming, kayaking, or simply soaking up the peace it brings.<\/p>\n
This Christmas, Talita\u2019s agenda is refreshingly simple. Spending time with family. Making memories. And indulging in some well-deserved downtime. She\u2019s recharging her batteries with an eye on the future \u2026 if her body allows, she\u2019s already dreaming of the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u2018But, until then, I am perfectly happy. I\u2019m also content just laughing on my own. More often than not laughing at myself. I genuinely enjoy being happy \u2026 and I\u2019ll always stay true to myself,\u2019<\/p>\n
For now, she\u2019s content spreading cheer, inspiring the next generation, and living her truth. Because whether on or off the court, she\u2019s proof that joy, grit, and a little chocolate cake can go a long way.<\/p>\n
Details: Follow @SouthAfricanIndoorCricketLadies on Facebook.<\/em><\/p>\n Talita\u2019s easy-peasy holiday fave<\/strong> You\u2019ll need:<\/em> 1\/2 cup oil; 1\/2 cup water; 1 cup cake flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 3\/4 cup sugar; 1\/4 cup cocoa; 3 eggs. To make:<\/em> Pre-heat oven to 180\u00b0C. For the syrup, heat the sugar and \u00be cup Ideal milk until melted and pour over the hot cake. Then, melt the chocolate cubes and remaining can of Ideal milk and pour over the cake. Compiled by: ALANICKA LOTRIET.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s that magical time of year when the cricket calls take a back seat to jingle balls \u2026 and for Talita Wiegand, it\u2019s a well-earned break. Fresh off her return from the Indoor Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, SA Ladies Master captain Talita Wiegand is trading wickets for warm family moments and a slice […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":21490,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,20],"tags":[7128,412,1392,8722,671,2609,8721,4077,8720,8723],"class_list":{"0":"post-21488","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"category-personalities","9":"tag-alanicka-lotriet","10":"tag-break","11":"tag-chocolate-cake","12":"tag-cricket-courts-and-christmas-cheer","13":"tag-get-it","14":"tag-get-it-pretoria-magazine","15":"tag-indoor-cricket-world-cup","16":"tag-passion","17":"tag-talita-wiegand","18":"tag-women-power"},"yoast_head":"\n
\nIf you\u2019re anything like the Wiegand\u2019s you just love a sweet treat, especially during the festive season. It\u2019s the perfect dessert for any meal. It\u2019s so moist and chocolaty, you\u2019ll want to dig right in. Quick, easy, and so delish.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/Cake-400x225.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nFor the syrup: 1 cup sugar; 1 can Ideal milk; 1 slab nutty chocolate<\/p>\n
\nMix the oil, water, egg yolks and sugar together. Then mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
\nBeat the egg white stiffly and add everything into one large bowl. Pour into greased cake pan and bake for about 20 minutes.<\/p>\n
\nBest served with loved ones.<\/p>\n