White Ferns players face a possible career payday — win or lose — in the Cricket World Cup final against South Africa on Monday morning (NZ time).

Last month, the International Cricket Council announced it had increased the total prize pool for the tournament to US$7,958,080 (NZ$13,107,276), more than double the payout for last year's event in South Africa.

The winners will divide up US$2.34 million (NZ$3.85m), compared to the US$1m paid to Australia in 2023.

NZ Cricket suggests that works out at a cool $NZ256,000 each, if the Ferns win, NZ$126,000 for runners-up.

That kind of money will be particularly welcomed by senior pros Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, who have ridden the highs and many lows of the NZ team over the past decade, including a heartbreaking defeat to the West Indies in the 2016 World Cup semifinals.

After vanquishing those same opponents in the semis this time, they gathered together for their own private celebration.

"As a group, we've been through a lot, but they've played so many years before us," said star allrounder Amelia Kerr. "They've been through so much... they've been through the game when they played it for nothing, they've gone through the semi-professional phase to now being professional.

"The memories they've had together are pretty special. I've always said, as a young player, I would love to have the opportunity to win a World Cup for the likes of them, because of what they've done for New Zealand cricket and for our players.

"It's awesome to see them have that moment together. They compete so hard on the field, but they're awesome off it as well."

Skipper Devine will step down from the captaincy after this match, while Bates stepped up to bowl the final crucial over against the Windies.

"There's a little bit of a joke between us, because obviously we're the grandmas of the team and we're still standing," reflected Bates. "Lea with her bionic knee, Sophie having dealt with a lot of stuff as captain, and me just keeping on going and going.

"It's a really special moment when you know there's been some tough times, and the three of us in particular have been through those ups and downs. We look after each other, us old girls, and try to keep up with some of the younger players."

Bates confirms she and Devine intend playing beyond the final, but the outright leadership would fall to the next wave, with vice captain Kerr likely to the forefront.

"Fingers-crossed, Sophie and I will still be around to lend an ear, but it's the right time for Sophie, and I'm just really pleased, for a sendoff, we've given her a final and hopefully can go the whole way."