Van Niekerk speaks ahead of her international return vs Ireland and wanting to prove that she still belongs.
Van Niekerk: Want to ‘prove to myself’ that I’ve still got it at the highest level.
Former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk wants to “prove something to myself,” as she prepares up to make her international comeback.
She is due to make her return against Ireland on Friday at Newlands, where she has been playing domestic cricket since retiring from the international game in 2023 and wants to show herself, not anybody else, that she still has what it takes to compete at the greatest level.
“That’s the main goal – just proving to myself that I can really tick those boxes that I want to tick. I know if I tick those boxes, I will contribute to the team, hopefully in winning situations. That’s what it’s all about for me,” van Niekerk said at a pre-tour camp in Cape Town. “I didn’t think the day would come. It means a lot. It means the world. I got my clothes (national kit) again, and it felt like it was my clothes for the first time. I got a new helmet as well. I was like a child. That’s what it means to me to be here.”
“A lot of things have changed since I was part of the team, and for the good. The intensity is through the roof. For me, contributing, whether it’s knowledge, whether it’s tactics, whether it’s chats about cricket and experiences, if I can do it with the bat in hand or in the field, whichever way, in a positive manner, if I can contribute, I’d be happy,” she said.
Van Niekerk had the same aim when she signed for Western Province at the start of the last season: to help out. “Initially, the goal was to give back and really assist the young players. I made it quite clear that I don’t want to do it for no reason. I’m taking somebody’s spot and contrary to what people think. I’m not doing it for the money,” van Niekerk said. “Then, I did okay in the season and then I got a call from this big guy with a big personality (head coach Mandla Mashimbyi) and I just had a conversation, and that made me sign again for Western Province.
“Even then, with the emotions and everything, I didn’t know. But then my why got a lot bigger. I just needed some time to process everything. I’m still processing some stuff, but the why was very clear to me. I guess that’s when the real work started, and it’s still continuing. I’m really proud of the strides I’ve made. There’s still a lot of hard work, but from where I was to where I am now, I’m pretty damn proud.”