Marizanne Kapp to Miss New Zealand Tour; Laura Wolvaardt to Lead South Africa in Five T20Is and Three ODIs

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South Africa Women have announced an exciting squad for their upcoming white-ball tour of New Zealand, with young allrounder Kayla Reyneke earning her maiden ODI call-up. The tour, scheduled to begin next month, will feature five T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, all of which form part of the ICC Women’s Championship cycle.

Reyneke, a promising 20-year-old offspin-bowling allrounder, impressed selectors with her recent performances against Pakistan. She made an immediate impact on her T20I debut earlier this month, returning exceptional figures of 2 for 13 in four overs and smashing an unbeaten 29 off just 16 balls to guide South Africa to victory. Her all-round brilliance earned her the Player of the Match award and solidified her reputation as one of the team’s rising stars.

However, South Africa will be without experienced allrounder Marizanne Kapp, who continues her rehabilitation after falling ill during the Pakistan series. Kapp missed the latter stages of that tour and will now follow a structured return-to-play protocol ahead of future international assignments.

The squad sees the welcome return of key players Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, and Dané van Niekerk to the ODI setup after they were unavailable for the recent Pakistan games. Their inclusion strengthens the bowling and all-round options significantly, adding depth and experience to the side.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt will lead the 15-member squad on what promises to be a challenging three-week tour. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi emphasized the importance of adaptability in New Zealand conditions, noting that varying pitches and weather across venues demand quick adjustments and disciplined execution. He highlighted that the tour offers an excellent opportunity to refine team combinations and continue developing South Africa’s competitive brand of cricket.

The five T20Is will be played as double-headers alongside the men’s fixtures from March 15 to 25 across Mount Maunganui, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The ODI series will follow, with matches scheduled in Christchurch and Wellington on March 29, April 1, and April 4.

Convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez praised Reyneke’s rapid rise, stating that her composure and skill at international level mark her as a future cornerstone of the squad. He also underlined the value that Khaka and Klaas bring to the ODI bowling attack, particularly in high-pressure situations.

South Africa Women Squad for New Zealand Tour

Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon, Dané van Niekerk

With a blend of youth and experience, South Africa Women will look to build momentum in the ICC Women’s Championship standings and make a strong statement against New Zealand in challenging overseas conditions.