Niekerk named in South Africa squad after a 4-year hiatus as team prepare for series against Ireland next month.
For the white-ball series against Ireland next month, Cricket South Africa has called up former captain Dane van Niekerk. This is her first national selection since September 2021. After a successful local comeback, the 32-year-old, who had reversed her international retirement in August, was selected for both the T20I and ODI squads.
Prior to this selection, Van Niekerk had been playing well for the Western Province Women throughout the domestic season. In her last six innings, she has scored a 40 and four half-centuries.
Eight months remain until the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, and South Africa has used the home series, which will take place in six locations between December 5 and 19, to expand the pool while keeping a close eye on the international competition.
Top-order batsman Faye Tunnicliffe and legspinner Seshnie Naidu, who were recognised for their performance on the domestic circuit, are among the international returnees led by Van Niekerk.
Following South Africa’s march to their first World Cup final earlier this year, the ODI team announces the beginning of a new 50-over cycle. Leah Jones, an all-rounder who has received her first international call-up, may make her debut alongside Tunnicliffe and Lara Goodall, who is back in the ODI lineup. Eliz-Mari Marx and Ayanda Hlubi, who were not selected for the World Cup, are also back in the running.
With Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, and Annerie Dercksen missing the ODIs, a number of experienced players will be managed during the tour. Tazmin Brits, who suffered a shoulder knock during the World Cup semi-final, is back in the 50-over squad but will not participate in the Twenty20 Internationals while she finishes her return-to-play regimen.
Clinton du Preez, the convenor of selectors, stated that the Ireland series provides an opportunity to “take a closer look at the options within our playing pool” as they continue to prepare for the 2029 50-over competition and the 2026 T20 World Cup. “Dane’s return is a result of her notable domestic form” he stated. “Leah Jones, along with several other domestic performers, has shown growth and maturity in her game.”