South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi has drawn a firm line under Dane van Niekerk’s short-term international prospects. The former captain, invited to a recent week-long training camp in Durban, will “definitely not part” of the squad named next week for the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
“She’s definitely not part of this World Cup. She’s not going,” Mashimbyi said, adding that selectors will revisit the all-rounder’s credentials only “when she ticks all the boxes.”
The 32-year-old has not played an ODI since 2021 and missed the 2022 World Cup while recovering from a broken ankle. A year later she failed to meet Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) 2-kilometre fitness run, coming in outside the 9 min 30 sec cut-off, and promptly announced her international retirement. That decision was reversed earlier this year, leading many to wonder if she might return in time for one last World Cup tilt.
Why bring her into camp?
CSA’s media note billed the gathering as “in preparation for the upcoming Pakistan tour and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025”. Mashimbyi clarified that van Niekerk’s inclusion was more about future possibilities than immediate selection. “We wanted to bring her in and actually expose her to the environment so that she can understand what the expectations are,” he said. “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.”
Fitness standards still matter, even if the rigid stopwatch has been shelved. Selection panels now apply discretion, yet players must convince coaches they can cope with the increased pace of the modern women’s game.
Van Niekerk’s own assessment
“I’ve seen the standards in the last two years. I’ve been in and around the team, commentating and even though I was really not involved I knew how the team was evolving when it comes to the physical sides of things,” she said. “There’s a massive difference from two years ago. The players have evolved, got stronger, smarter you can really see the work ethic around the group as well.”
Her domestic form remains steady for Western Province, but she accepts there is ground to make up. “I know I’m probably not where everyone’s at at the moment. I understand where I need to be for the team.”
A pragmatic Proteas set-up
Mashimbyi’s approach echoes recent CSA strategy: broaden the talent pool while keeping standards transparent. He views the Durban gathering as part of a rolling audition. “She’s just part of the bigger or broader base of players that we’re trying to bring into our environment,” he explained.
For van Niekerk, three previous 50-over World Cups (including a semi-final run as captain in 2017) and seven T20 editions underline her pedigree. Whether that experience earns her a late-career recall may depend on form, fitness and opportunities in next season’s domestic competitions and overseas leagues.
Looking ahead
South Africa leave for a limited-overs tour of Pakistan next month, where several fringe players will press claims ahead of the main event in early 2025. The final fifteen for India and Sri Lanka is expected to blend established names such as Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp with newer options unearthed through the provincial set-up.
For now, van Niekerk remains on the outside. Yet Mashimbyi left the door ajar, conscious of the benefit a fit, motivated senior pro can bring in high-pressure tournaments. The onus, he stressed, lies with the player. Should she meet the revised benchmarks, another chapter in a distinguished career cannot be ruled out.
