By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

26 May 2026- The Proteas Women have officially departed for England to attend a training camp in Arundel ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 5. The 15-player squad, captained by Laura Wolvaardt, features the surprise return of fast bowler Shabnim Ismail. 

Before entering official World Cup warm-up matches, the team will be based in Portsmouth and will play three unofficial practice matches at Arundel Castle. The Proteas are slotted into Group 1 and will kick-off their campaign against reigning champions, Australia on June 13. 

Their group stage opponents will also include: Pakistan, India, Netherlands and Bangladesh. Following three consecutive appearances in major ICC tournament finals, the team is looking to go one step further to secure their maiden world title. 

The Proteas head coach, head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said Ismail, who has reversed her retirement to make herself available for the marquee event, brings experience and depth to the Proteas pace battery and is South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs and T20Is, with 123 wickets from just 113 games in the latter. Mashimbyi said the 37-year-old last featured in the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil, where South Africa lost to Australia in the Final.

“The in-form Laura Wolvaardt, currently ranked third in the ICC Women’s T20I Batter Rankings, will lead South Africa for the second tournament in a row. South Africa squad are Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.

“Looking at the ODI World Cup last year (of which South Africa were the runners-up), we felt we needed that X-factor. And she definitely carries that. Ismail is good on the field and not talking about skills only, the thing she brings out of that skill. This addition will make sure that we’ll fight all the way,” he said.

Mashimbyi further said another player returning is important all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who makes her return after an injury lay-off that saw her miss the series against New Zealand and India. He added that if you do not eat food for a long time, you get hungry. 

“That’s where she is, hungry for more cricket. Medically it’s all a green light, and she’s fit and raring to go,” said Mashimbyi.

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