Suné Luus will continue leading the side in the absence of the injured Dané van Niekerk, with Chloe Tryon as her deputy
South Africa, along with Australia, England and India, were automatic qualifiers to the World Cup after beating New Zealand in New Zealand in early 2020. They are currently ranked second, behind Australia, in Women’s ODIs and had their best finish at a World Cup in 2017, when they reached the semi-finals. Since then, South Africa have played 42 ODIs, won 27 and lost 10, and have claimed series wins over Bangladesh, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and West Indies. They have won their last four series and are among the favourites for the upcoming tournament.
“The squad was not just brought together in the last few months, it’s a process that we commenced in 2017 and we identified certain areas that we needed to strengthen. There were strategic selections made through various camps and tours that we’ve had and played prior to this,” Clinton du Preez, the women’s convenor of selectors, said. “In 2020, when we went to New Zealand, we clinched the ODI series and from there that just set the tone for us to go and push on for the ODI World Cup and I think it is important that all the hard work has been put in, including the selections for the playing conditions that we see ourselves facing. Our team is ready to compete, and our team is ready to go further than just the semi-final berth and go and try and clinch the World Cup.”
South Africa have one more competitive match before they depart for New Zealand, which will be played on Sunday against West Indies. The fixture is a decider, with the series locked at 1-all after the first game was washed out. Luus said the conditions, which have been dominated by wet weather, have been difficult to score freely in, and have favoured slower bowling, are perfect preparation for New Zealand. “I know there is a lot of rain in New Zealand in most places where we are going so I think this is an ideal situation for us,” she said. “I don’t think we can get any better preparation. The tougher it gets for us the easier it will possibly be when we get to New Zealand.”
South Africa’s first match of the Women’s World Cup is against Bangladesh on March 4.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent