Marizanne Kapp’s inclusion highlights her dedication to continuing international cricket.
Allrounder Annerie Dercksen, recognized as the ICC’s Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024, has been awarded her inaugural national contract with South Africa. Dercksen is part of a 15-player roster for the 2025-26 season, which sees Lara Goodall and Delmi Tucker excluded from the previous year’s selection.
While Goodall and Tucker have been peripheral members of the primary squad, Dercksen has solidified her position across all formats and is a consistent participant, leading to her promotion.
The remaining contracted players consist of established and seasoned figures, including captain Laura Wolvaardt, former captain Sune Luus, allrounders Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk, experienced batter and seamer Anneke Bosch, Ayabonga Khaka, and left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Notably, Marizanne Kapp is also included, signaling her continued commitment to international cricket after reconsidering retirement early last year. She is reportedly considering this year’s ODI World Cup as her swansong but may also target the T20 World Cup in 15 months.
The squad list features no new additions, indicating stability in South Africa’s selections but potentially raising concerns about the development of emerging talent. For instance, Under-19 wicketkeeper batter Karabo Meso, who has senior-level experience, was not considered for a national contract despite being named batter and player of the recent SA20 Schools competition. However, South Africa’s director of cricket Enoch Nkwe expressed satisfaction with the ongoing progress of current players and aimed to reward their performance.
Nkwe stated that the squad’s continuity acknowledges the team’s remarkable achievement in reaching a second consecutive World Cup final, reflecting CSA’s dedication to recognizing consistent performance and building on recent global success. He believes this squad provides the ideal blend of experience and youthful vigor as they prepare for a crucial year with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, and is confident they are well-prepared to compete at the highest level and continue making the nation proud.
South Africa has been on a break since December, following a home series against England where they won only one of seven matches across formats. They are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in April for a tri-series involving India as preparation for the ODI World Cup, and will also play a series in West Indies in June, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is before the tournament.
South Africa contracted squad: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt
