Dané van Niekerk, the celebrated former captain of South Africa’s women’s cricket team, has announced her return to international cricket, revoking her retirement ahead of the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup 2025. Her decision is momentous for both South African cricket and the global women’s game, signaling the comeback of one of the sport’s most influential all-rounders.
Van Niekerk retired from international cricket in March 2023, frustrated by Cricket South Africa’s rigid fitness policy. She had not featured since September 2021, missing the 2022 ODI World Cup after breaking her ankle, with her recovery taking far longer than expected.
A comeback attempt in early 2023 was cut short when she failed to complete the mandatory two-kilometre time trial in under 9 minutes 30 seconds by 18 seconds, a standard CSA strictly enforced at the time. With the regulations now eased to give coaches discretion in selection, van Niekerk has reversed her decision and made herself available for national duty once again.
She acknowledged her happiness upon returning to international cricket in a heartfelt message, adding, “I’m thrilled to announce that I have decided to revoke my retirement from international cricket.”
Van Niekerk states she is “fully committed to giving everything to once again have that opportunity,” emphasizing her determination to contribute to her national side. The South African team, known for its rising standards, stands to benefit immensely from her experience and leadership.
She offered a sincere apology to Cricket South Africa and the broader cricket community regarding her initial retirement decision, saying, “I sincerely apologise to Cricket South Africa and the cricket family for how I handled my retirement.” Her words reflect a deep sense of responsibility and appreciation for those who have supported her journey.
Van Niekerk emphasized her renewed mindset: “I return with renewed energy, focus, and a deep sense of gratitude for this chance.” This mental reset will be invaluable as she prepares for the intense competition of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
She notes the ever-increasing quality of international women’s cricket: “The standards of the team and the women’s game continue to rise, and I am ready to work hard to meet them.” This awareness of evolving competition highlights van Niekerk’s commitment to personal excellence and to uplifting her teammates.
Expressing gratitude, van Niekerk thanked “everyone who continues to support me on this journey.” Her return is expected to inspire not just her team, but fans of women’s cricket worldwide, as she seeks to once again showcase her abilities on the international stage.
With the Women’s World Cup 2025 on the horizon, van Niekerk’s return adds further excitement and anticipation to the tournament. If she makes it to the squad, South Africa, already a strong contender, gains both skill and leadership, raising hopes for a deep run in the upcoming World Cup.
In ODIs, she has featured in 107 games, amassing 2175 runs, at an average of 36.25, and has also scalped 138 wickets, including the best of 5/17. Notably, she has registered 6 four-fers and a couple five-fers with the ball, and with the bat, has registered nine fifties and a century as well, with the highest score of 102.
Her possible comeback to the national squad, and the World Cup squad, is set to be one of the defining stories of the tournament, creating new opportunities for her legacy and for the continued growth of women’s cricket.
