Former South African captain Dane van Niekerk has spoken strongly against body shaming in her latest Instagram post. Sharing an emotional message, she wrote that people judging her appearance no longer affects her. Dane said that losing her father was the deepest pain she has ever felt, and compared to that, other people’s opinions mean nothing.
She urged those who waste time commenting on her body to do something meaningful instead, reminding everyone that life is too short for negativity.
In her post, Dane said: “This body shaming thing is getting really old. Losing my dad was/is the worst pain I have felt in my life. Your opinion on how I look does not even come close and really does not matter, anymore! So please, stop wasting your own time and go do something productive with your time! Life is short.”
Her words have struck a chord with fans around the world, who praised her for speaking up with honesty and strength.
Dane van Niekerk’s cricket journey has also been full of ups and downs. She announced her retirement from international cricket in 2023 after failing to meet CSA’s fitness criteria for the T20 World Cup that year.
Ahead of the 2025 Women’s World Cup, she came out of retirement hoping to make a comeback. But despite her experience and leadership, she was not picked by the selectors for the tournament.
Her recent post reflects not just personal grief, but also her determination to rise above criticism and focus on what truly matters in life.
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