Former South Africa Women’s captain Dane van Niekerk’s return to international cricket is proving to be an advantage for South Africa in their ongoing home series against Ireland. In the ongoing three-match ODIs against Ireland, Van Niekerk scored an impressive 88 runs off 47 balls at a strike rate of 187.23, in the 2nd ODI, her first ODI since September 2021. The Proteas Women are playing their second ODI game against Ireland and have finished the first innings with a score of 375/6.
South Africa Women saw two century scores from captain Laura Wolvaardt and all-rounder Sune Luus. Opening the innings for the team alongside Tazmin Brits, Wolvaardt led with her terrific spell of 124 off 111 balls, including 19 boundaries and no sixes. Meanwhile, Luus added another massive score with her 114 runs off 113 balls at a strike rate of 100.88. Besides these two batters, the only valuable contribution came from Niekerk’s 88 runs.
The Proteas Women recently concluded the three match WT20I series against Ireland with a 2-0 win. After the T20Is, they are currently busy with the ODIs, in which they are currently leading by 1-0. In the three-match T20Is, Van Niekerk scored 62 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 229.62, finishing in the fourth position behind Wolvaardt and Luus.
Van Niekerk revised her retirement in August 2025. Back in 2023, she had taken her call to quit from international cricket and remained a domestic player since then. The decision of her retirement came after the all-rounder was left out of South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup squad that same year.
Her return, however, marks her determination and grit to prove herself, whether she can play or not. Ahead of the Ireland series, during a pre-tour camp in Cape Town, Van Niekerk revealed what led her to make a comeback and the reason behind it.
She said, “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.”
“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,” she also added.
