Cricket South Africa has set the table for a decisive home summer as preparations begin for the Proteas Women’s Tour Against Ireland, a white-ball series that blends experience, fresh opportunity and a crystal-clear plan for what comes next.
Across two formats and six venues, this is a tour built for progress. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 less than eight months away in England, and a new 50-over cycle that stretches to 2029, every selection choice is a breadcrumb on the trail toward sustained excellence.
Why this tour matters for 2026 and 2029
The Proteas Women are treating December as both a proving ground and a platform. The leadership has made it clear that preparation and selection are aligned to short-term ambition in T20 cricket, while keeping one eye firmly on long-term ODI goals.
Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors Clinton du Preez framed the moment with purpose. In his words, the team is staying true to its processes while building toward next year’s T20 showpiece, and laying foundations for the next Women’s Championship and the 2029 World Cup cycle, a dual focus that signals measured intent.
Dané van Niekerk returns to the fold
One storyline towers above the rest. Former captain Dané van Niekerk has reversed her international retirement and been selected in both T20I and ODI squads, her first national call since September 2021. The 32-year-old has made her case through performances for the WSB Western Province, and now steps back into a dressing room that knows her game and her competitive edge.
It is a return that speaks to timing and fit. As the Proteas sharpen combinations for England 2026, the reintroduction of a proven performer can knit together roles across the middle of the order and balance the attack with game management, a quality that often makes the difference in tournament play.
Fresh faces and returning performers
Selection has rewarded form and potential. Top-order batter Faye Tunnicliffe is back in the T20I mix on the strength of her Hollywoodbets Pro Series contributions, while Dolphins legspinner Seshnie Naidu returns after being part of the build-up to last year’s T20 World Cup. Their inclusion adds variety and competition that can sharpen standards.
The ODI squad signals the start of a new cycle. Western Province allrounder and captain Leah Jones earns a maiden call-up and could debut alongside domestic teammates Tunnicliffe and Lara Goodall, who returns to the setup for the first time since the ODI Tri-Series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Dolphins fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi and Titans allrounder Eliz-Mari Marx also come back after missing out on World Cup selection, broadening the seam and seam-bowling allrounder options.
Captaincy spine and leadership group
Laura Wolvaardt continues to steer the ship in both formats, a steadying presence at the top of the order and a voice that carries. Around her, the leadership core features a wealth of allround talent, headlined by Suné Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase and Annerie Dercksen in the T20I group.
The bowling resources are well stocked. Spin spearhead Nonkululeko Mlaba is joined by seamers Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas in the T20I squad, while Tumi Sekhukhune and Miané Smit strengthen the ODI pace-and-skill blend. Behind the stumps, Sinalo Jafta and Karabo Meso handle the gloves across formats, a continuity that coaches value highly.
A deliberate split across formats
South Africa have not scattered their eggs. There is a strategic split that gives specialists room to breathe and develop. For this tour, Kapp, Khaka, Klaas, Tryon, de Klerk and Dercksen focus exclusively on T20I cricket. That concentration of experience and power in the shorter format should refine roles ahead of next year’s global event.
There is also thoughtful player management. Opening batter Tazmin Brits is rested for the T20Is while completing her return-to-play programme following a shoulder knock in the semifinal, and Anneke Bosch returns to domestic cricket with the Titans. The message is clear, freshness and timing matter as much as minutes on the field.
Quotes that frame the mission
Following a captivating run to the Cricket World Cup final, where the team demonstrated their world-class ability, we are excited to shift our focus to another intriguing chapter for this group. With the contest against Ireland ahead, we have taken this opportunity to take a closer look at the options within our playing pool, providing valuable international exposure while staying true to our processes as we build towards next year’s T20 World Cup and the longer-term goal of the 2029 50-over World Cup.
Dané’s return is a result of her notable domestic form, where she has shown consistency and skill. We look forward to her contribution across both formats.
Leah Jones, along with several other domestic performers, has shown growth and maturity in her game. This is a fantastic opportunity for her to step up to the international level.Clinton du Preez, Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors
This is a period full of promise and new energy following our World Cup campaign. Reflecting and resetting were crucial, and I believe we have done that well. Moving into the Ireland tour, we bring a renewed sense of excitement and a desire to improve and inspire in front of our home crowd.
I am particularly interested to see how the new combinations come together, as these elements will contribute to our continued growth as a team.Mandla Mashimbyi, Proteas Women Head Coach
Newlands reunion and a festive itinerary
There is poetry in the calendar. The first T20I on 05 December begins at a revised time of 14h00 SAST and marks the team’s return to World Sports Betting Newlands, their first visit since the historic maiden T20 World Cup final in February 2023. That backdrop will stir emotion, and it should lift the occasion for both players and supporters.
The series then moves to Boland Park and Willowmoore Park, before the ODI leg takes the action to Buffalo Park Stadium, St George’s Park and the DP World Wanderers Stadium. The spread offers many communities a chance to connect with the national side and to witness the next chapter unfold.
When the group assembles
The T20I squad will assemble in Cape Town on 29 November for the opening fixture. That early touchpoint allows the coaches to bed down roles, build rhythm, and create the tempo required for a three-match sprint in the shortest format.
Full squads for the Proteas Women
T20I squad
- Laura Wolvaardt Captain, Fidelity Titans
- Nadine de Klerk, World Sports Betting Western Province
- Annerie Dercksen, Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers
- Sinalo Jafta, DP World Lions
- Marizanne Kapp, World Sports Betting Western Province
- Ayabonga Khaka, DP World Lions
- Masabata Klaas, Fidelity Titans
- Suné Luus, Fidelity Titans
- Karabo Meso, DP World Lions
- Nonkululeko Mlaba, Hollywoodbets Dolphins
- Seshnie Naidu, Hollywoodbets Dolphins
- Nondumiso Shangase, Hollywoodbets Dolphins
- Chloé Tryon, DP World Lions
- Faye Tunnicliffe, World Sports Betting Western Province
- Dané van Niekerk, World Sports Betting Western Province
ODI squad
- Laura Wolvaardt Captain, Fidelity Titans
- Tazmin Brits, DP World Lions
- Lara Goodall, World Sports Betting Western Province
- Ayanda Hlubi, Hollywoodbets Dolphins
- Sinalo Jafta, DP World Lions
- Leah Jones Uncapped, World Sports Betting Western Province
- Suné Luus, Fidelity Titans
- Eliz-Mari Marx, Fidelity Titans
- Karabo Meso, DP World Lions
- Nonkululeko Mlaba, Hollywoodbets Dolphins
- Tumi Sekhukhune, DP World Lions
- Nondumiso Shangase, Hollywoodbets Dolphins
- Miané Smit, Fidelity Titans
- Faye Tunnicliffe, World Sports Betting Western Province
- Dané van Niekerk, World Sports Betting Western Province
Fixtures and venues for South Africa vs Ireland
T20I series
- Friday, 05 December 1st T20I at 2PM South Africa vs Ireland, WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
- Sunday, 07 December 2nd T20I at 2PM South Africa vs Ireland, Boland Park, Paarl
- Wednesday, 10 December 3rd T20I at 6PM South Africa vs Ireland, Willowmoore Park, Benoni
ODI series
- Saturday, 13 December 1st ODI at 10AM South Africa vs Ireland, Buffalo Park Stadium, East London
- Tuesday, 16 December 2nd ODI at 10AM South Africa vs Ireland, St George’s Park, Gqeberha
- Friday, 19 December 3rd ODI at 2PM South Africa vs Ireland, DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
All times are SAST
How the pieces could fit together
Selection balance is the quiet strength of this group. In T20Is the mix of seam and spin with Khaka, Klaas and Mlaba, plus the power and versatility of Kapp, Tryon and de Klerk, gives South Africa levers to pull across conditions and match situations.
In ODIs the coaches will learn plenty about combinations. The presence of Hlubi and Marx strengthens the seam unit, while the return of Goodall, the promise of Jones and the poise of Wolvaardt hint at new top-order textures, a blend that can grow through the cycle.
What to watch and why it resonates
Every over in this series carries a teaching moment. For the younger faces, it is a chance to translate domestic form into international assurance. For the returning stalwarts, it is an opportunity to reclaim rhythm and sharpen execution against disciplined opposition.
There is also the emotional heartbeat of Newlands. To walk back into the ground that staged a historic run to a T20 World Cup final will stir memory and motivation. Fans will feel it in the stands, and players will carry it into their strides.
The supporter experience
Summer in South Africa will hum with cricket. The Proteas Women have invited the country to share the ride, with a festive call to action to get tickets and be part of the atmosphere that only a home season can offer, an experience that connects communities to the team’s evolving story.
It is the right tour at the right time, fitted to objectives that matter now and later. Ireland will test South Africa in the ways the head coach expects, and the response will reveal how quickly combinations lock in and how confidently the Proteas kick on toward England 2026.
From the dressing room to the stands, the message is consistent. This home window is about progress, about rewarding form and building cohesion, and about crafting a squad that can carry the weight of expectation with joy and conviction.
