Former South African women’s captain Dane van Niekerk makes her return to international cricket after four years. Niekerk had announced her retirement back in March 2023 after she was left out from the team’s T20 World Cup squad. Her return will see her part of the team in both the ODI and T20I matches against Ireland that are scheduled to begin on December 5, 2025.
After announcing her retirement in 2023, Niekerk continued to play in franchise cricket around the globe, followed by her return to domestic cricket. She continued to play locally, and recently revoked her international retirement, following which she was part of South Africa’s national training camp for the 2025 ODI World Cup but didn’t make the cut to the squad.
The all-rounder has now opened a door for herself for a spot in the South Africa squad for the T20 World Cup. In 107 WODIs, she has scored 2175 runs at the strike rate of 66.08, and in 86 WT20Is, she amassed 1877 runs at the strike rate of 94.94.
Niekerk is among the six other additions to the team’s ODI squad. The list includes all-rounder Leah Jones, who will get her first ODI cap this season. In addition to that are batters Lara Goodall and Faye Tunnicliffe, all-rounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Miane Smit, and seamer Ayanda Hlubi.
Meanwhile, star players like Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk will only play in the T20I series. They will be rested for the ODIs.
Batting all-rounder Anneke Bosch will not be a part of either squad and is currently playing domestic cricket with the Titans.
The T20 World Cup is eight months away. South Africa are focused and preparing themselves by putting their best players forward in the ODI and T20I matches. Headed by Captain Laura Wolvaardt, the team has brought in Van Niekerk and Tunnicliffe, who were part of the 2024 World Cup T20 squad.
South Africa’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi on Niekerk’s return said, “We all know how talented she is, her knowledge of the game and she just needs to perform.” She added, “I want her to focus on winning games for this team. She has got a legacy behind her and now she has a second chance to showcase what she can do. She needs to focus on that. I don’t want to create any added expectations on her. She must just try and win games for this team.”
South Africa T20I squad
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk
South Africa ODI squad
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Leah Jones, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk
