Proteas Women prodigal daughter returns: Dane van Niekerk back from international wilderness

Former Proteas Women’s captain Dané van Niekerk has officially revoked her retirement from international cricket and has been invited to form part of the extended training camp squad ahead of the ICC Women's 50-over World Cup set to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

An extended Proteas Women squad has assembled for a national training camp in Durban from 25 August - 1 September in preparation for the upcoming Pakistan tour and the World Cup.

Following the camp, the team will travel to Lahore for a three-match ODI series against Pakistan from 16 - 22 September, before heading to India for the start of the ICC 50-over World Cup, scheduled between 30 September - 2 November.

“I am thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my retirement from international cricket,” Van Niekerk posted on her social media platforms.

“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.”

Van Niekerk enjoyed an illustrious international career, representing the Proteas on 194 occasions, including 107 ODIs, 86 T20Is and a single Test match against India in 2014.

Beginning her career in March 2009, she scored 2 175 runs in ODI cricket, with nine half-centuries and a career-best score of 102 against Sri Lanka, while amassing a further 1 877 runs in T20 cricket, notching up 10 fifties.

With the ball, the leg-spinner bagged 204 international scalps overall (138 in ODIs, 65 in T20Is and 1 in Tests), including record-breaking figures of 4/0 during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 against the West Indies in Leicester, England.

However, her international career ended in controversial circumstances when she quit after being left out of the Proteas T20 World Cup squad on home soil in 2023 due to her failing a 2km time trial, missing the fitness requirement by 18 seconds.

Van Niekerk, now 32, has apologised for her knee-jerk reaction two years ago. 

“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,” she said.

“I know the standards of the team and the women’s game continue to rise, and I am ready to work hard to meet them. 

“I return with renewed energy, focus and a deep sense of gratitude for this chance.”

Proteas Women’s coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes Van Niekerk has the skillset required for the subcontinent conditions his team will experience at the World Cup. 

“In terms of the players involved in the camp, we’ve worked hard to ensure we have the right balance and skillset needed for a successful World Cup,” Mashimbyi said.

"We’ve also brought in Dané to take a closer look at what she can contribute to the group in the near future.” 

Van Niekerk returned to domestic action with Western Province last season, playing five matches in the Hollywoodbets Pro50 competition, scoring 179 runs at an average of 59.66 at a strike-rate of 89.94.

She was equally prolific in the Hollywoodbets Pro20 League, playing six matches, scoring 215 runs at an average of 35.83 at a strike-rate of 137.82. It included a century against South Western Districts in Oudtshoorn.

The final squads for the Pakistan tour and the 50-over World Cup will be announced in the first week of September.

Full Proteas Women National Training Camp Squad 

Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba Seshnie Naidu, Luyanda Nzuza, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe and Dané van Niekerk.