Cricket South Africa announced the squad on September 3, 2025, ahead of the tournament, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.
Under head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who took over permanently from Hilton Moreeng last year, this will mark South Africa’s first major tournament under his leadership. Although the team secured a series win against the West Indies in June, they have won only four of their ten ODIs with Mashimbyi at the helm.
The squad features experienced players such as Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, and Ayabonga Khaka. Wolvaardt will lead the team, while wicketkeeping duties are assigned to Karabo Meso and Sinalo Jafta. Meso, who has represented South Africa in several Under-19 World Cups, is set to make her senior World Cup debut.
“From the moment I joined this team, and even during the qualification phase, it has been about preparing for this moment. Looking back at all the preparation we’ve done, we know we’ve given our best. We are ready to represent South Africa with pride at the World Cup,” Wolvaardt said.
Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi added, “I’m thrilled for the players and management heading to India, and I’m excited to see what they can achieve together. We believe we have a squad capable of performing on the world stage. Now it’s about carrying that belief forward, with the support of the entire nation.”
South Africa: Dane van Niekerk Misses Out as Teenager Karabo Meso Earns Spot in South Africa Squad
As expected, former captain Dane van Niekerk has been left out of South Africa’s Women’s World Cup squad. Having recently reversed her international retirement, Van Niekerk was initially named in a 20-player training group for the tournament but ultimately did not make the final cut.
Seventeen-year-old wicketkeeper-batswoman Karabo Meso will make her World Cup debut. Despite having just seven senior international appearances and two ODI caps, Meso has represented South Africa in two Under-19 World Cups. She joins off-spin all-rounder Nondumiso Shangase, who also makes her first World Cup appearance after being called up to the national team in May.
In the previous tournament, South Africa reached the semi-finals after finishing second in their group stage but were defeated by England in Christchurch. The Proteas will kick off their 2025 World Cup campaign against England in Guwahati on October 3. They will then travel to Indore to face New Zealand before taking on hosts India in Visakhapatnam.
South Africa Women’s Squad – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
Laura Wolvaardt (C), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Derecksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase
