Former skipper Dane van Niekerk, who revoked her international retirement earlier this week, is not part of South Africa’s plans for the upcoming Women’s World Cup 2025, coach Mandla Mashimbyi revealed on Friday.

“She’s just part of the bigger or broader base of players that we’re trying to bring into our environment. She’s definitely not part of this World Cup. She’s not going,” Mashimbyi said.

“We wanted to bring her in and actually expose her to the environment so that she can understand what the expectations are. Hopefully she can carry on from here onwards and really understand how she wants to go about things. And then one day when she gets a call up, you know, she can come in and have an impact immediately,” the coach added.

Earlier this week, the Proteas had also included the 32-year-old in their 20-member pre-tournament training camp in Durban, sparking speculation of Van Niekerk’s international comeback possibly coinciding with the showpiece event beginning next month.

Van Niekerk had announced her international retirement in March 2023 after she couldn’t find a place in the team for the home T20 World Cup due to poor fitness levels. Though her last international appearance came in September 2021, Van Niekerk continues to play domestic cricket for Western Province.

Published on Aug 29, 2025