The Proteas Women’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, will guide a dynamic team brimming with both youthful talent and seasoned experience at the upcoming 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
This squad boasts several players who participated in the 2023 final on home turf, including seasoned athletes like Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, and Chloé Tryon, who are eager to advance further in 2024.
Among the 15-player roster are some fresh faces, notably uncapped Dolphins leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu, who is celebrating her first call-up to the national team following impressive performances with the SA U19 Women and the SA Emerging squad over the last couple of years.
The 18-year-old will be joined by fellow young talents Ayanda Hlubi and Annerie Dercksen.
In preparation for the World Cup, the Proteas will face Pakistan in a three-match T20I series from September 16-20 in Multan, before heading to the UAE for the ninth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup.
Under the guidance of Interim head coach Dillon du Preez, the Proteas have a final chance to refine their strategies in two warm-up matches against New Zealand on September 29 and India on October 1 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
The team will compete in Group B alongside England, Scotland, Bangladesh, and the 2016 champions, the West Indies. The tournament will kick off for the Proteas on October 4 against the West Indies, followed by a highly anticipated rematch against England on October 7. They will conclude the round-robin stage with games against Scotland on October 9 and Bangladesh on October 17, while the semi-finals are slated for October 17 and 18, leading up to the final on Sunday, October 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.
"Playing in the UAE presents some unknown challenges, but we have done extensive research and assembled a well-balanced squad tailored for the conditions, keeping strategic options in mind as we approach the T20 World Cup,” said Clinton du Preez, the convenor of selectors for the Proteas Women’s team. "Laura (Wolvaardt) has excelled as a leader, fostering a respectful and integral team environment, and we eagerly anticipate her leadership and competitive prowess at the World Cup."
"Seshnie Naidu has demonstrated remarkable development as a bowler during our training camps, and we view her as an X-factor for the tournament. Her unique style adds a valuable dimension to our bowling attack, which could prove pivotal."
Proteas Women Squad - ICC Women’s T20 World Cup:
- Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Titans)
- Anneke Bosch (Titans)
- Tazmin Brits (Lions)
- Nadine de Klerk (Western Province)
- Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers)
- Mieke de Ridder (Garden Route Badgers)
- Ayanda Hlubi (Dolphins)
- Sinalo Jafta (Lions)
- Marizanne Kapp (Western Province)
- Ayabonga Khaka (Lions)
- Suné Luus (Titans)
- Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins)
- Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins)
- Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions)
- Chloé Tryon (Lions)