South Africa have confirmed a 15-player squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July, with captain Laura Wolvaardt leading the side in pursuit of a maiden world title.
The headline selection is the return of fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who last represented the Proteas in the T20 World Cup final in Cape Town in February 2023. The 37-year-old brings 113 T20I caps and a national record 123 wickets to the squad.
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Marizanne Kapp and Dané van Niekerk return after recovering from illness and a calf injury respectively, while wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso is back from a wrist injury sustained during the recent T20I series against India.
Kayla Reyneke earns her first senior World Cup call-up after a breakout season, averaging 53 with the bat and taking five wickets in her first nine T20Is.
The full squad also includes Tazmin Brits, Suné Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Chloé Tryon, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
South Africa depart for England on 25 May for a training camp in Arundel, where they face Australia in three warm-up matches before the tournament begins.
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Having reached the last three ICC tournament finals, the Proteas open their World Cup campaign against Australia at Old Trafford on 13 June.
Proteas Women ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Squad:
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Shabnim Ismail (DP World Lions), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province).
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
