After a short delay, Cricket South Africa announced their squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. South Africa have confirmed their 15-member squad, which includes two returning senior players.
The marquee event will be held in England and Wales in the month of June. It will be the tenth edition of the tournament. South Africa finished as runners-up in the last edition of this tournament, in the UAE in 2024.
Shabnim Ismail and Dane van Niekerk return for the T20 World Cup
As expected, batter Laura Wolvaardt has been named the captain of the team. But the big talking point is the return of Shabnim Ismail.
Pacer Ismail had retired in 2023 following South Africa's runner-up finish in the home T20 World Cup that year. Now, she has made a surprising return to the national team at the age of 37.
Also returning to the team is Dane van Niekerk. Niekerk had retired from international cricket after not being selected for the home T20 World Cup that year. She reversed her retirement last year but was not selected for the ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. She has played nine international matches since returning.
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Shabnim Ismail in T20Is and T20 World Cups
Despite having retired almost three years ago, Ismail remains South Africa's highest wicket-taker in Women's T20Is. Ismail has taken 123 wickets in 113 matches at an average of just 18.62 and an economy rate of 5.77, and 2 five-wicket hauls.
She is the only South African to take 100 wickets in the format. van Niekerk has also taken 65 wickets in 92 T20Is at an economy rate below 6 runs an over.
van Niekerk is also the second-highest run-scorer for South Africa in this format with 1,958 runs. She is also South Africa's second-highest run-scorer in the Women's T20 World Cup with 493 runs.
With 43 wickets from 32 matches at an average of 15.25 and an economy rate under 6, Shabnim Ismail is the second-highest wicket taker in the history of the Women's T20 World Cup, only behind Australia's Megan Schutt.
20-year-old Reyneke selected for the World Cup
20-year-old all-rounder Kayla Reyneke, who made her debut this year, has been selected for her first senior Women's ICC event to provide firepower in the lower order.
Despite a career of just 9 T20Is, Reyneke has looked impressive and a force to be reckoned with. She was also her country's captain at the Women's Under-19 World Cup last year.
Apart from Captain Wolvaardt, who is the country's highest run-scorer in both T20Is and T20 World Cups, the squad contains several experienced campaigners like Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
South Africa will start their Women's T20 World campaign against Australia in Manchester on June 13. South Africa have been placed in Group A alongside Australia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
South Africa squad
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Nierkerk.
