After former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk decided to revoke her international retirement decision, she was selected in the 20-member squad, which is scheduled to participate in a home camp to prepare for the Women’s ODI World Cup next month. This meant all the signs were leading to her arrival in the South African team for the World Cup.
But there is a twist now. South Africa coach Mandla Mashimbyi has recently confirmed Van Niekerk will “definitely not be part” of their squad for October’s 50-over World Cup despite her inclusion in a training camp. Mashimbyi said Van Nieker was just part of the training camp so she could “understand what the expectations are”.
“She’s just part of the bigger or broader base of players that we’re trying to bring into our environment,” said Mashimbyi, quoted as saying by BBC Sports.
“She’s definitely not part of this World Cup. She’s not going. We wanted to bring her in and actually expose her to the environment. 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,” she added.
Van Niekerk, after revoking her retirement, ‘sincerely apologised to Cricket South Africa’ in a social media post last week. She had written, “I’m thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my retirement from international cricket. The time away has reminded me just how much I have missed representing my country and I am fully committed to giving everything to once again have that opportunity.”
Home World Cup snub led to retirement
Van Niekerk hasn’t played any international cricket since September 2021 and did not make South Africa’s 2022 ODI World Cup squad after breaking her ankle. As per ESPNCricinfo, she was due to lead the team at that event but her recovery took far longer than initially expected. She was eventually due to return in early 2023 but could not complete a two-kilometre time trial run in under 9:30.
After she couldn’t find a place in the team for the home T20 World Cup due to poor fitness standards, Van Niekerk announced her international retirement in March 2023.
