Dane van Niekerk Returns to Cricket with Western Province

Former South African cricket captain Dane van Niekerk is set to return to professional cricket this summer, having signed with the Western Province provincial team. Although she hopes to eventually return to international play, van Niekerk shared that she has no set timeline for this comeback. For now, her focus is on enjoying the game and playing competitively again, which likely means she will not be considered for South Africa's squad, led by Laura Wolvaardt, in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. Her wife, Marizanne Kapp, is expected to play a significant role in that tournament, while van Niekerk plans to participate in domestic matches at home.

Van Niekerk confirmed her intention to play in as many fixtures as possible, aiming to work her way back into contention for higher-level competitions. She emphasised that her main goal is simply to play cricket again, expressing a desire to represent her country and compete at the highest level once more.

Since August last year, van Niekerk has not played any cricket after leaving The Hundred early due to a fractured right thumb. Prior to that, she led the Sunrisers in the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, where the team finished fourth, and participated in the inaugural Women's Premier League with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Her last appearance for South Africa was in 2021, and she retired from international cricket in March last year after failing to meet the fitness standards set by Cricket South Africa (CSA), missing out on the T20 World Cup 2023 squad.

At the time, CSA required women's national team members to complete a two-kilometre time trial in 9 minutes and 30 seconds. Van Niekerk, still recovering from a broken ankle, missed the time by 18 seconds. CSA has since relaxed the strict enforcement of this requirement and other physical tests, leaving selection decisions to the coach's discretion.

Currently, South Africa does not have a confirmed permanent coach after Dillon du Preez stepped in as interim coach for the tour to India, following Hilton Moreeng's nearly 12-year tenure. CSA is expected to outline a succession plan for the women's coaching role before the T20 World Cup in October. With no fixtures scheduled before then, it is anticipated that du Preez will continue in his interim role, with a permanent appointment likely to be made ahead of South Africa's home season, which includes an all-format tour against England, featuring the first home Test in 22 years.