Proteas Women coach Mandla Mashimbyi says they are yet to speak with all-rounder Dané van Niekerk about her future with the team. Van Niekerk returned to international cricket last year after more than two years away from the team. She had retired in 2023 after missing out on selection for the T20 World Cup at home that year. Her return has not produced the results she had hoped for, and questions remain about what comes next for the former captain. The talks will help clarify her next steps.
Van Niekerk was part of the tournament this year in England, but Mashimbyi used her sparingly during the competition. The all-rounder had returned to international cricket after spending more than two years away from the Proteas Women. Her second coming has not produced the results she had hoped for since returning to the side. Mashimbyi says the team will now have discussions with the former captain about her position and what she wants to do next. Until those talks take place, her future with the team remains uncertain.
“As it stands, everybody who was involved in the T20 World Cup is still available for selection, bar one. We still need to chat with Dane to find out where she’s at.”
Mashimbyi is already preparing for the possibility that players such as van Niekerk might be lost to the national team. This is reflected in the squad selection for the tour of Zimbabwe, where younger players will get an opportunity to gain international experience. The coach says this is part of a succession plan for the Proteas Women as they prepare for changes in the squad. He wants the team to have players ready to step in when experienced members are no longer available. The focus is on giving youngsters the experience needed to make an impact at international level.
“We want to get to a point where we know that when we lose players, we still have other players that can slot into the team and produce a similar impact.”
South Africa will face Zimbabwe for the first time ever in a women’s T20 international bilateral series. The tour will give the younger players an opportunity to gain international experience as the Proteas Women look at their future squad. Mashimbyi hopes the series can be the beginning of growth for women’s cricket on the continent. The focus is also on making sure the team can continue to produce a similar impact when experienced players are no longer part of the national side. The Zimbabwe series will therefore be an opportunity for the team to give youngsters international experience.
The Proteas Women are moving towards the Zimbabwe series while the situation around van Niekerk remains unresolved. Mashimbyi has made it clear that a discussion with the experienced all-rounder is still needed before her future can be understood. At the same time, the coach is looking at younger players as part of the team’s succession plan. South Africa will meet Zimbabwe in a women’s T20 international bilateral series for the first time ever. Mashimbyi hopes this can help start the growth of women’s cricket on the continent. He wants the team ready for changes while continuing to give younger players chances to develop at the international level.
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