Follow UsIt was four years ago, in 2021, that Dane van Niekerk last played for the South African women’s cricket team. van Niekerk did not meet Cricket South Africa's fitness requirement of a sub-9-minute 30-second two-kilometre time trial, for which she was dropped from the 2023 T20 World Cup. In the aftermath of that, she retired from international cricket.
Reversing her decision from 2022, the former South African captain returned to international cricket and has been performing consistently to make a case for her inclusion in the national side.
Although she travelled as a non-playing member of the squad for the ODI World Cup 2025 in India, the 32-year-old finally received a call to the squad on November 21 (Friday) as Cricket South Africa named the senior women’s team squad for the home series against Ireland.
While van Niekerk is the only notable inclusion in the T20 squad with the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year, the ODI squad of the South African side has seen a lot of changes.
Faye Tunnicliffe, who has also returned to the T20I side, has made her ODI return too. All-rounder Leah Jones has earned her maiden call-up, while the likes of Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi and Eliz-Mari Marx have also returned to the national set-up.
“Dane's return is a result of her notable domestic form. Leah Jones, along with several other domestic performers, has shown growth and maturity in her game,” Convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
South Africa Women 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 Women 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