Proteas Women’s contracted squad’s faith in the past is misplaced

Tuesday’s announcement of the Proteas Women’s nationally contracted players reveals a mind-set from Cricket South Africa that is rooted in the past, rather than one that is embracing the future. 

Firstly, there is the continued devaluation of the Proteas Women by announcing a squad that only comprises 15 players, as opposed to the men’s 18. Surely in an era where the Proteas Women have reached three successive ICC Competition finals, there should be an equal number of contracts offered?

Secondly, naming Players of National Interest or PONI’s (cue some interesting equine comparisons…) only for the men is a slap in the face of those players that surely deserve the same status in the women’s game. How can CSA be so archaic in their thinking to introduce a concept like this only for the men? 

I think we should not be surprised. This is a governing body that believes it is OK for the Men’s CSA One Day Cup Winners to receive a cheque for R975,000, when the women’s equivalent, the HollywoodBets Pro50 winners, receive R250,000. It is worth reminding the cricketing public that the women’s Pro50 and Pro20 are the only CSA tournaments that have a headline sponsor.  

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the squad selection is rooted in the past. Convenor of Selectors for the Proteas Women, Clinton du Preez is quoted as saying that: “Contracts reflect a clear and deliberate focus on retaining a strong core of players who have driven the team’s recent performances and competitive progress. This approach ensures continuity, stability and sustained on-field standards, while reinforcing confidence in the current group. At the same time, there is a strategic commitment to building depth by creating opportunities for emerging players, ensuring the squad remains competitive, adaptable, and well-positioned for long-term success.”

Let us paraphrase that a little. We’re giving you contracts to say thanks for what you did. The continuity, stability and sustained on-field standards were there for the World Cup in Sri Lanka and India in the 2025/26 contract season. The T20 World Cup finishes one month into this contract cycle. In my opinion, South Africa, with this current squad and thinking, has less than a 50% chance of getting into the semi-finals, given the group they are in. 

Unless they are bolstered by the likes of Kayla Reyneke, Dané van Niekerk (if she is back from injury and has an opportunity in the India series), Faye Tunnicliffe (top run-scorer in the domestic Pro20) and even (left-field) Caitlin Wyngaard (pace and swing, could be devastating in England) it looks like a team that will struggle against India and Australia. They will need to beat one or both of these teams to get to the semi-finals. 

In the build up to the 2029 World Cup, the time is now, in the 2026/27 contract cycle, to make the changes. The home India and Australia series could be once-in-a-blue-moon events, so give the youngsters a chance to play against the best, so that they can be unbeatable in 2029. 

The “strategic commitment” to “emerging players” is not evident in this squad or in this press release. Perhaps the Women’s PONI’s are more like POLI’s (players of lesser interest). Comparing a horse (pony) to a parrot (polly) seems to just about sum up the value that women’s up-and-coming players are afforded when compared to the men.

The time is now to say thanks to the likes of Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta, Chloé Tryon and Masabata Klaas. Having them on contract nearly an entire year after the T20 World Cup takes away opportunities for others. Give them the golden handshake and ask them to help develop the next generation at domestic level. Make a commitment now to players that will be there in nearly 4 years’ time. Where is the commitment to players like Reyneke, Tunnicliffe, Candler, Cowling, Wyngaard, Nini, Mkhize, Smit, Naidu, van Rensburg and Jones? How do you bring Filander, van Voorst and Lalor into the mix post the u19 World Cup?

If Reyneke is in your T20 World Cup plans (how can she not beafter her recent performances), why aren’t you giving her a contract? Why bring in Anneke Bosch as a replacement for Dané van Niekerk when you have your leading Pro20 run-scorer (the highest ever aggregate in a season) waiting for the call? In my opinion it gives completely the wrong message to those that perform at domestic level. Tunnicliffe scored her maiden international 50 against Ireland and scored 47 in the final ODI against Pakistan. She wasn’t backed with starts in every game. Neither Bosch nor van Niekerk can possibly be in the plans for 2029 or even the 2028 T20 World Cup. Eight of the Fifteen player contracted squad are 30 or older. Of these, only Suné Luus is likely to play in 2028 and 2029.