Former South African captain Dane van Niekerk has revoked her retirement from the game, the player announced in a social media post on August 25 (Monday). The 32--year-old marked her return to domestic cricket for Western Province during the 2024-25 season, and has subsequently also been included in the 20-member extended group for the pre-World Cup training camp in Durban from August 25 to September 1.
"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," she said on Instagram.
The ex-South Africa captain had retired in 2023 at the age of 29 having failed to make the squad for a home T20 World Cup, after not meeting the fitness requirements meant for selection. Sune Luus took over captaincy for that tournament.
Van Niekerk 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 under her captaincy.
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.
Van Niekerk, now 32, also apologized to Cricket South Africa (CSA) for the way she handled her retirement and was hopeful of representing South Africa once again. "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."
South Africa to tour Pakistan
Post the Durban training camp, South Africa will name their team that will travel to Lahore for a three-match ODI series against hosts Pakistan to from September 16 to 22 as their final preparation for the ODI World Cup in India & Sri Lanka.
The 20-player 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
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