Dane van Niekerk Set for South Africa Comeback After Retirement U-Turn
Former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk is poised to return to international cricket after being named in the national training squad for the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup. The 32-year-old had announced her retirement in March 2023 after being controversially omitted from the T20 World Cup squad for failing to meet Cricket South Africa's (CSA) stringent fitness standards.
Van Niekerk has not featured in international cricket since September 2021. She missed the 2022 ODI World Cup due to a serious ankle injury and later failed to complete a mandatory two-kilometre fitness time trial in under 9 minutes and 30 seconds, ruling her out of selection in early 2023. At the time, CSA was rigidly enforcing its fitness benchmarks, but those regulations have since been relaxed, allowing selectors more discretion.
Since stepping away from the international game, van Niekerk has featured regularly in domestic cricket for Western Province. Last season, she impressed in both formats — scoring 179 runs at an average of 59.66 in 50-over cricket and finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the Pro20 competition.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, van Niekerk announced her decision to revoke her retirement, writing:
"The time away has reminded me just how much I have missed representing my country. I apologise to Cricket South Africa and the cricket family for how I handled my retirement."
She also reaffirmed her commitment to meeting the current standards of the women's game.
Van Niekerk’s return could be a significant boost for South Africa, particularly in the middle order where the team has struggled for stability. Her experience, leadership, and legspin add depth to the squad ahead of next month’s World Cup in the subcontinent.
South Africa’s training camp is currently underway in Durban, with 20 players vying for spots in the final squad. Captain Laura Wolvaardt, along with senior players Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon, is unavailable for the camp due to commitments in The Hundred in the UK but is expected to be part of the World Cup squad.
Among the training group, key names like Tazmin Brits, Ayabonga Khaka, and Nonkululeko Mlaba are considered certainties, while players like Faye Tunnicliffe and Seshnie Naidu remain on the fringes. The only uncapped player in the camp is 19-year-old allrounder Luyanda Nzuza, who recently represented South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup and on the Emerging tour to Bangladesh.
The final squad will be announced after the Durban camp. South Africa will then travel to Pakistan for a three-match ODI series from September 16 to 22 as preparation for the World Cup. The Proteas were semi-finalists in each of the last two editions of the Women's ODI World Cup and will be aiming to go one step further this time.
South Africa Women’s Training Squad:
Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Luyanda Nzuza, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk