Former Proteas captain Dane van Niekerk has revoked her international retirement and ‘sincerely apologised to Cricket South Africa’ in a social media post on August 25 ahead of the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
The 32-year-old has marked her return to domestic cricket for Western Province during the 2024-25 season, and has subsequently also been included in the South Africa member group for the pre-World Cup training camp in Durban from August 25 to September 01.
“I’m thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my retirement from international cricket. The time away has reminded me just how much I have missed representing my country, and I am fully committed to giving everything to once again have that opportunity,” Dane van Niekerk on Instagram.
The ex-Proteas Women’s captain retired in 2023 at the age of 29, having failed to make the squad for a home T20 World Cup, after meeting the fitness requirements meant for selection.
Sune Luus took over captaincy for that tournament. Dane van Niekerk has made 194 appearances for South Africa (107 ODIs, 86 T20Is and 1 test). She scored 4074 runs and picked 204 wickets in her international career.
She also led South Africa in 50 ODIs and 30 T20Is with the team winning 29 and 15 games respectively.
While being one of South Africa’s mainstays, she was marred with injuries during the Covid period.
She suffered a lower back injury in 2020, which kept her out for most of the year and on the cusp of the ICC World Cup in 2022 in New Zealand, she suffered an ankle injury which ruled her out of the tournament.
“I sincerely apologise to Cricket South Africa and the cricket family for how I handled my retirement, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to hopefully one day express my skills again on the international stage,” said Dane van Niekerk.
After the conclusion of Dubai training camp, South Africa will name their team that will travel to Lahore for three-match ODI series against hosts Pakistan to from September 16 to 22 as their final preparation for the ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The 20-year camp excludes the likes of Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon who are all currently involved in The Hundred Competition.
South Africa Women’s training Squad: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Luyanda Nzuza, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk
