Viral ‘Cupcake Girl’ who mocked India says South Africa needs mental therapy after yet another big-game choke

A South African woman who went viral after her “cupcake ad” posted an emotional video after South Africa lost to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Kolkata. With tears in his eyes and a clear message to the Proteas, he said South African players may need mental training given the team’s inability to win high-pressure matches. In an emotional two-minute video, Thanja Vuur questions why the team continues to fall short in big matches despite having “world-class players”.

The clip, shared widely online, shows him speaking directly to the camera while wearing a yellow South Africa jersey.
‘Why can’t we get over the line as the years go by?’

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Thanja questions why South Africa, often praised for their depth and talent, are struggling at crucial moments. “The level of talent in South Africa is incredible. We have world-class players. We have everything we need to win these games. But we don’t.”

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His words echo a familiar sentiment among Proteas fans who have seen their side dominate the bilateral series but stumble in the knockout stages.

Direct call to coach Shukri Conrad

In the middle of her message, Thanja turns to South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad.
“I’m asking, please Shukri, take a different path. Please,” he says.
He calls on team management to plan mental therapy for the team. “I don’t know if you have it in your budget and I don’t know if people still think of it as a taboo. But it is very, very useful in sports and can change your life,” he emphasized.

While he does not specify what changes he wants, his words suggest new thinking and perhaps a call for external support to help the team overcome what he describes as “the demons that clearly exist in the land of the Proteas”.

From cupcake ad fame to cricket heartbreak

Thanja Vuur first became popular online after appearing in a cupcake commercial, which earned her the nickname “Cupcake Girl”. His cheerful personality in that clip made him a familiar face on social media.

He shared a personal note about fear, chasing dreams, and getting help from mental therapy while unemployed.

Despite her visible pain, Thanja finished her message faithfully.

“Of course I’m hurt. But I will always… forever be South Africa,” he said before wishing luck to India and England ahead of the final. “May the best team win”