South Africa allrounder Kayla Reyneke has received her maiden ODI call-up for the white-ball tour of New Zealand that starts next month. While Marizanne Kapp will miss the tour to continue her rehabilitation after falling ill during the recent Pakistan series, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas and Dané van Niekerk all return to the ODI side after missing the games against Pakistan.
Laura Wolvaardt will lead the side of 15 that will fly to New Zealand for almost a three-week long tour of five T20Is and three ODIs, which will count towards the ICC Women’s Championship.
Twenty-year-old Reyneke is an offspin-bowling allrounder and made her T20I debut earlier this month against Pakistan and shone with figures of 2 for 13 from her four overs before smashing an unbeaten 29 off 16 to take South African over the line in the opening T20I where she as named the Player of the Match.
“Touring New Zealand always presents unique challenges,” head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said. “The conditions require adaptability, especially when playing across multiple venues where the surfaces and weather can differ. We must adjust quickly, apply ourselves and maintain the standards we have set as a team.
“This tour gives us another valuable opportunity to test our combinations, deepen our squad and continue evolving our brand of cricket against quality opposition.”
Kapp fell ill in the third T20I of the series and then missed the ongoing ODI series. She will begin her “return-to-play protocol” ahead of South Africa’s upcoming tours once she finishes her rehab.
The five women’s T20Is between South Africa and New Zealand will be part of double-headers with the men’s series, from March 15 to 25 in Mount Maunganui, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The three ODIs between the women’s teams will be played on March 29 (Christchurch), April 1 (Wellington) and April 4 (Wellington).
“The return of Masabata and Ayabonga adds valuable firepower and experience to our bowling attack, particularly in the ODI format,” convenor of selectors, Clinton du Preez, said. “Kayla’s maiden ODI call-up is thoroughly deserved following her performances in the recent T20Is. She has shown composure and skill at international level, and we believe she is a player for the future who can grow into an important role within the squad,
South Africa Women squad for tour of New Zealand
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 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
