Cricket South Africa has unveiled the Proteas Women’s squads for the upcoming white-ball tour against Ireland, set to run from 5–19 December and staged across six iconic South African venues, including Cape Town, Paarl, Benoni, East London, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England now only eight months away, South Africa’s focus is firmly on building depth, sharpening combinations, and ensuring the squad peaks at the right time. 

And in a major boost, Van Niekerk has been recalled to the national fold for the first time since 2021, following her decision to reverse her retirement. She has been in superb form for Western Province and earns her place in both the T20I and ODI squads.

Dané van Niekerk. Photo: Cricinfo

Van Niekerk is joined in the T20I group by fellow returnees Faye Tunnicliffe and Seshnie Naidu. Tunnicliffe has been one of the standout performers in the Women’s Pro Series, while leg-spinner Naidu returns after being part of the preparation phase ahead of last year’s T20 World Cup.

Those three will slot into a settled core led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, supported by key all-rounders Suné Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase and Annerie Dercksen. 

The bowling attack remains strong, with Nonkululeko Mlaba anchoring the spin department and Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas spearheading the seam options. 

Behind the stumps, the Proteas will again rely on the dependable glove-work of Sinalo Jafta and young Karabo Meso. The ODI squad, meanwhile, marks the beginning of a new four-year journey following the Proteas’ historic run to their maiden Cricket World Cup final in India earlier this year. 

For the 50-over format, Western Province captain Leah Jones earns her first national call-up and is poised for a potential debut. She joins domestic teammates Tunnicliffe and Lara Goodall, the latter returning after missing much of the year through injury.

Dané van Niekerk and Faye Tunnicliffe. Photo: CSA

There are also recalls for Dolphins pacer Ayanda Hlubi and Titans all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx, both of whom narrowly missed out on World Cup selection. The squad retains several World Cup performers, including Mlaba, Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune, Miané Smit and attacking opener Tazmin Brits, who will sit out the T20Is as she completes her return-to-play programme.

Several senior players, including Kapp, Khaka, Klaas, Tryon, de Klerk and Dercksen, will focus solely on the T20Is during this tour, while Anneke Bosch returns to domestic action with the Titans.

The series will open with three T20Is, starting at Newlands on 5 December in what will be the Proteas Women’s first appearance at the venue since their historic T20 World Cup final in 2023. 

Matches in Paarl and Benoni are scheduled to follow on 7 and 10 December. The ODI leg will then take place in East London, Gqeberha, and at the Wanderers on 13, 16, and 19 December.

Seshnie Naidu. Photo: Cricinfo

Convenor of Selectors Clinton du Preez said the tour presents “a perfect opportunity to broaden the playing pool” while keeping an eye on next year’s T20 World Cup and the longer ODI cycle.

Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi echoed the sentiment, praising the “renewed energy” in the group and emphasising the importance of blending experience with new combinations as the Proteas look to inspire on home soil.

The first T20 International will be played on Friday, 5 December, in the shadows of Table Mountain at the iconic Newlands in Cape Town.

Proteas Women T20I squad – Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloé Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dané van Niekerk

Proteas Women ODI squad – Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Leah Jones, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dané van Niekerk

Morgan Piek OFM Sport