Kayla Reyneke, the former South Africa Under-19 captain, has been drafted into the senior women’s set-up for the three T20s against Pakistan next month. The series, starting on 10 February and running through to 16 February, doubles as South Africa’s last home preparation before June’s T20 World Cup in England.
“Kayla Reyneke has always been a talent to watch,” Clinton du Preez, the convenor of selectors, said. “She has recently shown clear growth in both her skill set and maturity in her game. This selection is a nod to her consistent progress and allows her to showcase what she can do at an international level.”
That endorsement sums up why the 19-year-old all-rounder – a tidy off-spinner who bats in the middle order – has jumped the queue. She impressed for Free State in the provincial T20s, turning heads with tight power-play overs and clean striking at the death. The transition to senior cricket is never smooth, of course, but the selectors clearly feel her upside outweighs any rough edges.
Headline names such as Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk will join the squad once their Women’s Premier League (WPL) duties wrap up in India. Dane van Niekerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas and Suné Luus are also pencilled in for the T20 leg.
Full T20I squad
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.
Pakistan itinerary
1st T20I – 10 Feb, Potchefstroom
2nd T20I – 13 Feb, Benoni
3rd T20I – 16 Feb, Kimberley
1st ODI – 22 Feb, Bloemfontein
2nd ODI – 25 Feb, Centurion
3rd ODI – 1 Mar, Durban
Once the white-ball focus shifts to 50 overs, South Africa tweak the line-up. Lara Goodall, wicketkeeper Faye Tunnicliffe, off-spinner Nondumiso Shangase and seamer Tumi Sekhukhune come in; Khaka, Klaas, Reyneke and van Niekerk step aside. The three ODIs launch South Africa’s new ICC Women’s Championship cycle – points here will count towards 2029 World Cup qualification.
ODI squad
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe.
Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi welcomed the depth on offer: “We are very pleased to be able to select two competitive squads, ahead of what will be a very demanding period for the team, with tours against New Zealand and India still to come before the T20 World Cup. The team is full of confidence after the way we ended 2025, but now we have to go again. It will be up to each individual to ensure we maintain and improve on our performances from last year.
“We are not settling for anything less, and this tour against Pakistan – a side we know very well and who can be a tricky opponent on their day – will go a long way in helping us execute our plans and review what works and what we need to focus on going forward.”
On paper South Africa look stronger, especially with Kapp’s experience and Wolvaardt’s runs at the top. Pakistan, though, have pinched wins here before, and their spinners normally relish the highveld surfaces in February. For Reyneke, regardless of results, the next three weeks are a chance to prove she belongs – a small but significant step in the Proteas’ longer-term rebuild.
