Former Proteas Women captain and all-rounder Dané van Niekerk has made a U-turn on international retirement and has been named as part of the squad at the extended national training camp in Durban until Monday.
“I’m thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my retirement from international cricket,” said Van Niekerk in a statement.
“The time away has reminded me just how much I have missed representing my country and I am fully committed to giving everything to once again have that opportunity.
“I sincerely apologise to Cricket South Africa and the cricket family for how I handled my retirement, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to hopefully one day express my skills again on the international stage.
“I know the standards of the team and the women's game continue to rise, and I am ready to work hard to meet them. I return with renewed energy, focus and a deep sense of gratitude for this chance.”
The camp is part of preparations for the ODI series to Pakistan and ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka between September 30 and November 2.
Van Niekerk returned to domestic cricket in February this year and coach Mandla Mashimbyi has recalled her to the squad to prove her fitness.
After the camp in Durban, the team travel to Lahore for a three-match ODI series against Pakistan between September 16 and 22 to put final touches to their preparations for the World Cup.
After the Pakistan series, the Proteas will head to India where they have a warm-up match against Bangladesh before the tournament.
The 20-player training camp squad includes players from the recent West Indies tour, with the exception of captain Laura Wolvaardt and all-rounders Chloé Tryon and Marizanne Kapp.
Wolvaardt, Tryon and Kapp are competing in The Hundred in England and will join their teammates on the subcontinent with their much-needed match fitness.
Also named in the squad are the Western Province pair of Lara Goodall and Faye Tunnicliffe, Eliz-Mari Marx of the Fidelity Titans and Seshnie Naidu from the Dolphins.
The group also features one uncapped player in all-rounder Luyanda Nzuza, who represented the South African Under-19 Women at this year’s ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The final squads for the Pakistan tour and the 50-over World Cup will be announced in the first week of September.
“It’s a very exciting time to be part of this group as we build towards the World Cup,” said Mashimbyi.
“The players have put in a huge amount of work over the past few months to be ready for that first ball against England in India. This camp in Durban will be crucial in helping us finalise a few key areas of our preparation, making sure we tick every box before we board the plane as a united force.
“The series in Pakistan will also serve as an important measure of where we are as a team ahead of the tournament, and we are looking forward to putting our best foot forward in those three ODIs.
“In terms of the players involved in the camp, we have worked hard to ensure we have the right balance and skill set needed for a successful World Cup. We’ve also brought in the likes of Luyanda and Dané to take a closer look at what they can contribute to the group in the near future.”
Proteas Women National Training Camp Squad: Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
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