Proteas Women’s Squad For 2026 ICC T20 World Cup: Ismail And Van Niekerk Return

The South African Women’s National Selection Panel has confirmed the 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July.

Aiming to continue inspiring future generations of women’s cricket in the country, the South Africa women’s national cricket team squad, captained by Laura Wolvaardt, features the return of fast bowler Shabnim Ismail as South Africa pursue their maiden world title.

The 37-year-old, who last represented the Proteas in the T20 World Cup final in Cape Town in February 2023, brings a wealth of experience, with 113 T20I caps and a national-record 123 wickets.

She will be joined by Marizanne Kapp and Dané van Niekerk, who return after recovering from illness and a calf injury respectively. Wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso also returns from a wrist injury that ruled her out of the recent T20I series against India women’s national cricket team, and will join Sinalo Jafta in the wicketkeeping department.

Kayla Reyneke is set for her first senior World Cup after enjoying a breakthrough international season.

The former SA U19 Women’s captain ended the 2025/26 campaign with a batting average of 53 and five wickets in her first nine T20Is.

The remainder of the squad includes Tazmin Brits, Suné Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk and Chloé Tryon. Meanwhile, the bowling attack features seamers Ayabonga Khaka and Tumi Sekhukhune, as well as spin star Nonkululeko Mlaba.

The Proteas will begin their preparations when they depart for England on 25 May for a training camp in Arundel, where they will face Australia women’s national cricket team in three warm-up matches from 31 May to 4 June before turning their attention to the official World Cup warm-up fixtures.

After reaching the finals of the last three ICC tournaments, South Africa will open their Group 1 campaign against Australia on 13 June in Manchester, before taking on Pakistan women’s national cricket team, India, Netherlands women’s national cricket team and Bangladesh women’s national cricket team.

Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said:

“We’re excited for the big stage ahead, and I think the players have really put in the work over the last few months. The 4-1 series win against India gave us a lot of confidence, but there are still final touch-ups we need to make before the World Cup starts.

“Having someone like Shabnim back adds a lot of value to the group. We had good conversations, and you could see the hunger she still has to represent South Africa and help this team achieve something special. We’re also pleased to have players like Marizanne, Dané and Karabo available again.

“Every team goes to a World Cup wanting to win it, and we are no different. For us, it’s about trusting the process, taking it one game at a time and continuing to improve as the tournament progresses.”

Proteas Women convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez commented:

“The selection process for this T20 World Cup squad involved a lot of careful consideration around continuity, squad balance and the demands of a major global tournament.

“Keeping the core of the group together was important to us because this is a squad that has built strong experience, combinations and understanding over time.

“At the same time, we also looked at areas where we felt additional experience and impactful options could strengthen the team, especially in the high-pressure moments that often decide tournaments of this nature.

“These decisions are never easy, particularly when quality players miss out, but every discussion and selection was made with the best interests of the team and the goal of winning the World Cup in mind.

“We believe this squad has the right mix of experience, resilience and match-winning ability, and importantly, gives us the best possible opportunity to put all the pieces together and strongly challenge for the title.”

Proteas Women ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad

• Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans)
• Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions)
• Nadine de Klerk (World SportsBetting Western Province)
• Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers)
• Shabnim Ismail (DP World Lions)
• Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions)
• Marizanne Kapp (World SportsBetting Western Province)
• Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions)
• Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
• Karabo Meso (DP World Lions)
• Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
• Kayla Reyneke (World SportsBetting Western Province)
• Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
• Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
• Dané van Niekerk (World SportsBetting Western Province)

Management

• Mandla Mashimbyi – Head coach
• Sedibu Mohlaba – Team manager
• Dillon du Preez – Bowling coach
• Andrew Puttick – Batting coach
• Mduduzi Mbatha – Fielding coach
• Abram Ramoadi – Performance analyst
• Claire Terblanche – Coach
• Tshegofatso Gaetsewe – Team doctor
• Neline Hoffman-Kellerman – Physiotherapist
• Tumi Masekela – Strength and conditioning coach
• Happiness Mesi – Massage therapist and logistics
• Koketjo Tsebe – Team psychologist
• Lita Gqirana – Media manager
• Zahid Shaik – Security liaison officer

Proteas Fixtures – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

• Saturday, 13 June – 15:30 | Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester
  South Africa vs Australia
• Wednesday, 17 June – 19:30 | Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
  South Africa vs Pakistan
• Sunday, 21 June – 15:30 | Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester
  South Africa vs India
• Thursday, 25 June – 19:30 | County Ground Bristol, Bristol
  South Africa vs Netherlands
• Sunday, 28 June – 11:30 | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
  South Africa vs Bangladesh

All times are South African time.