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No Place For Ex-Skipper! South Africa Snubs Dane Van Niekerk From WC Squad

Soumyajit Dutta

Dane van Niekerk [Source: @ICC/X.com]Dane van Niekerk [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk will not feature in the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, despite reversing her retirement and attending a pre-tournament training camp in Durban. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi confirmed that the 32-year-old will only be considered for selection in future series once she meets all requirements.

Van Niekerk had earlier missed the 2022 World Cup due to an ankle injury and was also left out of the 2023 T20 World Cup at home after failing to meet Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) fitness standards. Following that omission, she announced her retirement from international cricket.

No place for Van Niekerk!

Since her retirement, van Niekerk returned to domestic cricket with Western Province, reconsidered her decision, and was included in a 20-player camp ahead of the Pakistan series and the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. However, Mashimbyi made it clear she would not be named in the final 15-member squad to be announced next week.

"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

Why was van Niekerk called up?

Mashimbyi explained that her presence at the camp was about reintroducing her to the national environment. 

"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," Mashimbyi said.

CSA’s strict 2km running-time requirement, which famously ruled van Niekerk out in 2023, has been scrapped. Selection now depends on the coach and convener’s discretion, though fitness remains a priority.

Eyes on future comeback

While she will miss this year’s World Cup, van Niekerk may target a return in the home season that follows. South Africa’s women are set to play Ireland and Pakistan later this year. Preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup could also provide another opportunity.

Mashimbyi highlighted Dane van Niekerk’s value as a former captain and experienced player but made it clear she will not receive special treatment. He emphasized that despite her past achievements, she must work hard, meet team standards, and earn her place like any other member of the squad.