Former Proteas Women captain Dane van Niekerk suffered another failure with the bat in the final ICC T20 Women's World Cup warm-up against New Zealand on Tuesday.
The upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales represents a golden opportunity for a Proteas squad desperate to finally cross the final hurdle. After heartbreaking defeats in the last two finals, the inclusion of returning stalwarts Shabnim Ismail and Dané van Niekerk has signaled a clear intent: The Proteas are banking on battle-hardened experience to secure their maiden global crown.
But while the romanticism of Van Niekerk’s return is undeniable, the reality of her current form — or rather, the sheer lack of it — presents one of the biggest question marks ahead of Saturday’s opening game against Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Van Niekerk’s journey back to the national setup is nothing short of a Hollywood script. The heartbreak of missing the 2023 T20 World Cup on home soil due to a failed fitness test, the subsequent bitter retirement, and her reversal of that decision showcases a fierce competitor with unfinished business.
But since reintegrating into the team and showing glimpses of her old self against Ireland late last year, Van Niekerk has been plagued by a thigh injury that has kept her out of competitive cricket since March 2026. Missing the crucial inbound series against New Zealand and the recently concluded home series against India means the 33-year-old is severely undercooked.
