CSA Names Proteas Women Squad for T20 World Cup Pakistan Series. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has officially announced the Proteas Women’s T20 International (T20I) squad for their upcoming tour against Pakistan and participation in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 15-player squad represents a well-balanced team of experienced and young talents, all geared up for this highly anticipated cricketing event.
The squad will be led by Laura Wolvaardt, a young yet exceptional cricketer who has been given the honor of captaining the team in her first-ever World Cup leadership role. She will be joined by a host of seasoned professionals, including Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, and Chloé Tryon. The team also boasts the talents of up-and-coming stars like Tazmin Brits, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Nadine de Klerk, who is expected to recover fully from her Achilles injury ahead of the tournament.
One of the most exciting inclusions in the team is uncapped Seshnie Naidu, a Hollywoodbets Dolphins leg-spinner who earned her first national team call-up after putting in stellar performances with the South Africa U19 Women and the SA Emerging side over the last two years. At just 18 years old, Naidu will join fellow youngsters Ayanda Hlubi and Annerie Dercksen as part of a new generation of South African women’s cricket talent.
South Africa Group and Schedule
The Proteas Women have been drawn into Group B for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. They will face tough competition, including England, Scotland, Bangladesh, and 2016 champions West Indies. South Africa’s journey in the World Cup will kick off on October 4, 2024, against the West Indies in Dubai. A rematch against England, whom they faced in last year’s semi-final, will follow on October 7. The Proteas will then round off their group stage matches against Scotland on October 9 and Bangladesh on October 12.
The semi-finals will be held on October 17 and 18, and the grand final will take place on October 20, 2024, at the Dubai International Stadium.
Before heading to the UAE, the Proteas Women will engage in a three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Multan from September 16 to 20, 2024. This series will serve as vital preparation for the World Cup.
Warm-up Matches and Final Preparations
To fine-tune their preparations ahead of the main event, South Africa will also play two warm-up matches. They will face New Zealand on September 29 and India on October 1 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. These matches are expected to provide the Proteas with valuable experience in UAE conditions, which may differ significantly from the environments they are used to.
CSA Confidence in Squad and Leadership
CSA Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez, expressed confidence in the team, saying, “While playing in the UAE presents some unknowns, we have conducted thorough research and selected a balanced squad that complements the conditions, with strategic options in mind as we head into the T20 World Cup.”
He continued to praise Laura Wolvaardt for her leadership qualities, stating, “Laura has been exceptional as a leader, bringing a holistic approach to the team. She leads with respect and integrity, and we are excited to see her leadership and playing qualities shine at the World Cup.”
Du Preez also highlighted the inclusion of Seshnie Naidu, calling her the team’s potential “X-factor.” He emphasized that Naidu’s unique bowling style offers something different and could prove pivotal in South Africa’s World Cup campaign. “She brings a unique element to our bowling attack, offering something different that could be pivotal,” he noted.
Team Selection and Strategic Considerations
The selection of this 15-player squad did not come easy. According to CSA Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe, “There was strong competition for places, and while some players will unfortunately miss out, these decisions were made based on balance, form, fitness, and strategic considerations for the format.” Nkwe added that every selection had been carefully thought through to ensure that South Africa had the best possible squad for this crucial tournament.
Nkwe expressed his pride in the team, saying, “We are incredibly proud of the group of players and management who will be representing South Africa at the Women’s T20 World Cup. This team has shown remarkable resilience and skill, and we have no doubt that they will compete with the same spirit and determination on the world stage.”
Proteas Women Squad – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 (UAE)
- Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans)
- 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)
- Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers)
- Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions)
- Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions)
- Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
- Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) – Uncapped
- Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
- Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Travelling Reserve: Miané Smit (Recon Tactical Free State) – Uncapped
Management Team
- Dillon du Preez – Interim Head Coach
- Sedibu Mohlaba – Team Manager
- Baakier Abrahams – Batting Coach
- Bongani Ndaba – Fielding Coach
- Paul Adams – Spin Lead
- Abram Ramoadi – Performance Analyst
- Zane Webster – Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Neline Hoffman-Kellerman – Physiotherapist
- Dr. Tshegofatso Gaetsewe – Team Doctor
- Happiness Mesi – Massage Therapist / Logistics
- Lita Gqirana – Media Specialist
- Zahid Shaik – Close Protection Officer
Fixtures – Proteas Women’s Outbound T20I Series Against Pakistan (16 – 20 September)
- Monday, 16 September @ 16h00 SAST: 1st T20I – Pakistan vs South Africa (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan)
- Wednesday, 18 September @ 16h00 SAST: 2nd T20I – Pakistan vs South Africa (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan)
- Friday, 20 September @ 07h00 SAST: 3rd T20I – Pakistan vs South Africa (Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan)
South Africa’s Fixtures – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 (03 – 20 October)
- Sunday, 29 September @ 16h00 SAST: 1st Warm-up T20I: South Africa vs New Zealand (ICC Academy, Dubai)
- Tuesday, 01 October @ 16h00 SAST: 2nd Warm-up T20I: South Africa vs India (ICC Academy, Dubai)
- Friday, 04 October @ 12h00 SAST: 1st Match: South Africa vs West Indies (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai)
- Monday, 07 October @ 16h00 SAST: 2nd Match: England vs South Africa (Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah)
- Wednesday, 09 October @ 12h00 SAST: 3rd Match: South Africa vs Scotland (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai)
- Saturday, 12 October @ 16h00 SAST: 4th Match: Bangladesh vs South Africa (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai)
Semifinals and Final
- Thursday, 17 October @ 16h00 SAST: Semi-final 1 (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai)
- Friday, 18 October @ 16h00 SAST: Semi-final 2 (Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah)
- Sunday, 20 October @ 16h00 SAST: Final (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai)
Strategy and Challenges
With the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup being held in the UAE, South Africa will need to adapt to the unique playing conditions. The surfaces in Dubai and Sharjah are known to favor spin, and this has led to the inclusion of Seshnie Naidu, whose leg-spin is expected to be a crucial weapon. Nonkululeko Mlaba, another spinner, will also play a key role in helping South Africa contain opposition batting lineups.
Conclusion
The announcement of the Proteas Women’s squad for the T20I series against Pakistan and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 marks an exciting chapter for South African cricket. With a balanced blend of experienced players and emerging talents, led by the dynamic Laura Wolvaardt, the team is poised to make a strong impact in both series. The inclusion of young and promising cricketers like Seshnie Naidu, alongside the seasoned core of the team, reflects Cricket South Africa’s commitment to nurturing future stars while maintaining competitiveness on the global stage.
