Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named the Proteas Women’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Ireland, taking place from 05–19 December across Cape Town, Paarl, Benoni, East London, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 just under eight months away, the focus remains on preparing the team and giving players the exposure they need to succeed on the global stage.
One of the biggest talking points is the return of former captain Dané van Niekerk, who comes back to the national side for the first time since September 2021 following the reversal of her international retirement. Van Niekerk has been in strong form for WSB Western Province and has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads.
She joins fellow international returnees Faye Tunnicliffe, rewarded for her performance in the Hollywoodbets Pro Series, and leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu, who returns after being part of last year’s T20 World Cup preparations.
They link up with captain Laura Wolvaardt, all-rounders Suné Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, and Annerie Dercksen. The bowling department also includes Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, and Masabata Klaas. Wicketkeeper-batters Sinalo Jafta and Karabo Meso will handle the gloves across both formats.
For the ODI squad, the focus is on building towards the next World Cup cycle after South Africa’s historic run to their first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final. Western Province all-rounder and captain Leah Jones earns her first international call-up at 24 years old, potentially making her debut alongside domestic teammates Tunnicliffe and Lara Goodall, who returns to the national setup for the first time since the ODI Tri-Series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Ayanda Hlubi and Eliz-Mari Marx also return after missing out on World Cup selection.
They join established players from the World Cup squad, including Wolvaardt, Luus, Mlaba, Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune, Miané Smit, and opening batter Tazmin Brits, who is rested for the T20I series while completing her return-to-play programme following a shoulder knock in the semi-final.
Several players will either focus exclusively on T20I cricket or be rested for this tour: Kapp, Khaka, Klaas, Tryon, de Klerk, and Dercksen, while Anneke Bosch returns to domestic cricket with the Titans.
The series kicks off with three T20Is. The first T20I on 05 December has been moved to a 14h00 SAST start and marks the Proteas Women’s return to the World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground for the first time since their maiden T20 World Cup final in February 2023. The series continues at Boland Park on 07 December and Willowmoore Park on 10 December.
The ODI series follows, with fixtures on 13, 16, and 19 December at Buffalo Park, St George’s Park, and DP World Wanderers Stadium.
Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez, said:
“After an incredible run to the World Cup final, we’re excited to start the next chapter. The Ireland series is a chance to give players international exposure while sticking to our selection and preparation processes ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup and looking ahead to the 2029 50-over World Cup. Dané’s return is based on her domestic form, and we’re looking forward to her impact across both formats. Leah Jones and other domestic performers now have the perfect platform to step up to international cricket.”
Proteas Women Head Coach, Mandla Mashimbyi, added:
“This is a period full of promise and fresh energy. Reflecting after the World Cup, we’ve reset and now move into the Ireland tour with excitement and a hunger to improve. Ireland will challenge us, and we must handle the pressure while staying true to our positive and brave style of cricket. I’m also looking forward to seeing how new combinations perform as we continue to grow as a team.”
Proteas Women Squad – T20I Series
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province), Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Proteas Women Squad – ODI Series
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), *Leah Jones (World Sports Betting Western Province), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province), Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
*Uncapped
Fixtures – Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour vs Ireland 2025
T20I Series
Friday, 05 December – 1st T20I at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town)
Sunday, 07 December – 2nd T20I at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Boland Park, Paarl)
Wednesday, 10 December – 3rd T20I at 18h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
ODI Series
Saturday, 13 December – 1st ODI at 10h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)
Tuesday, 16 December – 2nd ODI at 10h00: South Africa vs Ireland (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)
Friday, 19 December – 3rd ODI at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)
All times SAST
