Go back to Here for Her

Ex-captain back for Proteas Women after long absence

cricket21 November 2025 07:25| © Cricket SA
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Dané van Niekerk © Gallo Images

Former South African captain Dané van Niekerk has been selected for the national squad for the first time since September 2021.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday announced the Proteas Women’s T20 international (T20I) and one-day international (ODI) squads for the upcoming white-ball tour against Ireland between 5 -19 December across Cape Town, Paarl, Benoni, East London, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 less than eight months away, the Proteas’ preparation and selection processes remain firmly focused on achieving success at next year’s global event in England.

Van Niekerk (32) has been included in both formats after impressing for the WSB Western Province.

She is joined in the T20I squad by fellow international returnees, including top-order batter Faye Tunnicliffe, who has been rewarded for her form in the Hollywoodbets Pro Series, and Hollywoodbets Dolphins legspinner Seshnie Naidu, who returns after being part of the build-up to last year’s T20 World Cup.

That trio will link up with captain Laura Wolvaardt, allrounders Suné Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase and Annerie Dercksen. The bowling ranks also include spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and seamers Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas.

Wicketkeeper batters Sinalo Jafta and Karabo Meso will handle the gloves for both formats.

Following their historic journey to a maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final in India, the ODI squad to face Ireland marks the start of a new cycle for the group, with all roads leading towards the 2029 edition.

Western Province allrounder and captain Leah Jones has earned her maiden international call-up for the ODI series.

The 24-year-old could make her debut alongside domestic teammates Tunnicliffe and left-handed batter Lara Goodall, who returns to the national setup for the first time since the ODI Tri-Series in Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi and Fidelity Titans allrounder Eliz-Mari Marx also return after missing out on World Cup selection.

They join the retained members of the Cricket World Cup squad, including Wolvaardt, Luus, Mlaba, Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune, Miané Smit and opening batter Tazmin Brits, who is rested for the T20I series while completing her return to play programme after recovering from a knock to the shoulder, sustained in the semifinal.

Among those resting or focusing exclusively on T20I cricket for this tour are Kapp, Khaka, Klaas, Tryon, de Klerk and Dercksen, while Anneke Bosch will return to domestic cricket with the Titans.

The three-time World Cup finalists will set off the home international summer with a three-match T20I series.

The first T20I will now take place at a revised time of 14h00 SAST on 5 December and marks the Proteas Women’s return to the World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground for the first time since their historic maiden T20 World Cup final in February 2023.

The series will then continue at Boland Park and Willowmoore Park on 7 and 10 December, respectively.

The ODI series will see the Proteas Women and Ireland face off on 13, 16 and 19 December at the Buffalo Park Stadium, St George’s Park and the DP World Wanderers Stadium.

The Proteas Women’s T20I squad will assemble in Cape Town on 29 November, to begin preparations for the opening fixture.

Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez, said:

“Following a captivating run to the Cricket World Cup final, where the team demonstrated their world-class ability, we are excited to shift our focus to another intriguing chapter for this group.

“With the contest against Ireland ahead, we have taken this opportunity to take a closer look at the options within our playing pool, providing valuable international exposure while staying true to our processes as we build towards next year’s T20 World Cup and the longer-term goal of the 2029 50-over World Cup.

“Dané’s return is a result of her notable domestic form, where she has shown consistency and skill. We look forward to her contribution across both formats.

“The ODI series also provides ideal conditions for us to begin shaping our strategy for the next World Cup cycle, particularly with the upcoming ICC Women’s Championship 2025–2029.

“Leah Jones, along with several other domestic performers, has shown growth and maturity in her game. This is a fantastic opportunity for her to step up to the international level.”

Proteas Women Head Coach, Mandla Mashimbyi, commented:

“This is a period full of promise and new energy following our World Cup campaign. Reflecting and resetting were crucial, and I believe we have done that well. Moving into the Ireland tour, we bring a renewed sense of excitement and a desire to improve and inspire in front of our home crowd.

“I am looking forward to working with all the players selected, both the new faces and the returning ones, as we continue our journey towards achieving our goals. Ireland will challenge us, and we must be ready to absorb pressure while maintaining our positive and brave brand of cricket.

“I am particularly interested to see how the new combinations come together, as these elements will contribute to our continued growth as a team.”

Proteas Women Squad - T20I Series:

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)

Proteas Women Squad - ODI Series:

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), *Leah Jones (World Sports Betting Western Province), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)

*Uncapped

Fixtures - Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour v Ireland 2025

T20I Series

Friday, 05 December - 1st T20I at 2PM: South Africa v Ireland (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town)

Sunday, 07 December - 2nd T20I at 2PM: South Africa v Ireland (Boland Park, Paarl)

Wednesday, 10 December - 3rd T20I at 6PM: South Africa v Ireland (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)

ODI Series

Saturday, 13 December - 1st ODI at 10am: South Africa v Ireland (Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)

Tuesday, 16 December - 2nd ODI at 10am: South Africa v Ireland (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)

Friday, 19 December - 3rd ODI at 2pm: South Africa v Ireland (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)

**All times are SAST

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