"It's going to be surreal for a while": White Ferns savour historic World Cup victory

Even over the phone, the elation of the White Ferns outfit and their wider group in the aftermath of their historic T20 World Cup triumph was evident, as the magnitude of what they've accomplished began to settle in.

In Monday morning's (NZ time) final, New Zealand cruised past South Africa to lift the silverware for the first time in three attempts and put an exclamation on a staggering resurgence.

Despite touching down in Dubai amid a brutal 10-game losing streak, the Ferns - according to coach Ben Sawyer - always believed they were just inches away from putting the pieces of the puzzle together, and it just so happened they all came together when it mattered the most.

Sawyer was among the partygoers backstage with an equally ecstatic SENZ host Scotty Stevenson, who jumped on the line to reflect on a momentous occasion in NZ cricket lore.

"I just think it's a belief," Sawyer told SENZ's Scotty & Izzy.

"I know it's probably hard to explain, but we thought we were getting better every time we lost. They were always chasing victory but we thought we were chipping away.

"People were playing their roles and I'm just proud of the group that they all stuck at it. I guess they put their faith in us as coaches, but we thought we had a winning combination and we just needed to build it."

And for the old guard of Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu, the moment mattered that much more. Sawyer says having this trophy in the cabinet is the crowning jewel for Bates and Devine in particular, whose remarkable career numbers now have their icing on the cake.

"They're absolute icons in the game," he said. "Individually they've achieved everything the game can throw at them, all the records they've got to break or they have broken.

"But for them to win this game. That's the most important thing for them.

"I'm just so happy for them that - hopefully they're not retiring yet - but they can finish their career soon and know that they've been world champions."

But as crucial as that foundation was, it was the emergence of their younger talent who took the team to the next level.

Georgia Plimmer had a breakthrough campaign batting at the top of the order. Rosemary Mair, Fran Jonas and Eden Carson were superb in the bowling attack, and Melie Kerr continued her ascent as one of the sport's elite talents - named player of the final, player of the tournament, as well as finishing its leading wicket taker.

"They're the next generation and now they've won a World Cup at the age of 20, 21 and hopefully there's a few more to come."

Also in the mix of dressing room revellers was assistant coach Craig McMillan, who has been credited with making a significant impact on the team's reversal since joining the staff six months ago.

McMillan acknowledged the tough times had been through, but also the fortitude and the manner in which those tough times had galvanised the squad and prepared them for the demands of such a tournament.

"They've worked so hard over recent times," he told host Izzy Dagg.

"We've endured, let's be honest, some tough times, where it has been really difficult.

"But I guess that builds a bit of character, bit of strength, bit of perseverance - they've got a heap of it and they've shown that right throughout the tournament at different times - when they needed to step up to the plate and do the job, they did it.

"I'm just so proud of what these girls have been able to achieve. It's going to be a bit surreal for a while.

"We're on a plane towards India for three ODIs but we'll worry about that tomorrow. Tonight we're going to have some fun."

Listen to the full chat below: