Former Namibia captain Yasmeen Khan has been included in South Africa’s extended 28-player red-ball training camp. Born in George and now playing for the Dolphins, Yasmeen has made herself available for South Africa after previously representing Namibia at the international level.
The four-day training camp will take place at the Irene Cricket Club in Centurion from September 27 to 30. The Proteas Women will face India in a four-day Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha from December 9 to 12. They will then take on Australia in Potchefstroom from April 11 to 14 next year.
Yasmeen Khan Joins Six Uncapped Players in South Africa Camp
Yasmeen Khan has played 117 T20Is for Namibia and captained the side 27 times. She recently represented the South African women’s Emerging team in a series against Bangladesh, further strengthening her case for a place in the national setup.
The expanded squad features six players who are yet to make their international debuts for South Africa. All-rounders Alexandra Candler and Nicolien Janse van Rensburg, batter Izel Cilliers, and wicketkeepers Simoné Lourens and Tebogo Macheke are also included.
They will train alongside established players such as captain Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Suné Luus and Anneke Bosch.
However, several experienced players have been left out. Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon are absent after featuring in the WCPL. Kapp and Tryon are scheduled to play in the Canada Super 60 from September 29 to October 3.
Ayabonga Khaka remains unavailable for Test cricket, while there is still no clarity over Dane van Niekerk’s international future.
Mandla Mashimbyi Targets Long-Format Development
South Africa head coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes exposure to red-ball cricket can improve the team’s overall game. The former Titans coach has previously pushed for more long-format opportunities for the women’s side.
“Preparing for and playing red-ball cricket is something that excites us as players and coaches. We are a team that is always eager to learn and grow as cricketers, and the longer format of the game goes a long way towards helping us achieve that continuous development,” Mashimbyi said.
“We've purposefully cast the net wide with the players we have invited to the camp, with the aim of building a solid base of cricketers we can look to when it comes to the skills and mentality required to be successful in red-ball cricket and beyond,” he added.
South Africa have not won a Test since 2007 and have lost their last five matches in the format. Their most recent defeat came against England in Bloemfontein.
They are scheduled to play five more Tests during the 2025-29 FTP cycle, including the two upcoming home fixtures. The remaining assignments include away Tests against Australia and England in 2028 and a home match against the West Indies in 2029.
South Africa Women’s Red-Ball Training Squad
Laura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Alexandra Candler, Izel Cilliers, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Nicolien Janse van Rensburg, Leah Jones, Yasmeen Khan, Masabata Klaas, Simoné Lourens, Suné Luus, Tebogo Macheke, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Caitlin Wyngaard.
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