What began as a friendly sibling rivalry with her brother has taken Jae-Leigh Filander from the KFC Mini-Cricket fields to the doorstep of international honours with the Proteas Women.
The Yesplay Western Province Cobras wicketkeeper-batter is currently part of the Proteas Women squad in Bulawayo after receiving her maiden senior national call-up for the ongoing historic five-match T20 International (T20I) series against Zimbabwe.
For Filander, who recently celebrated her 19th birthday, the opportunity represents a major step in a journey that has already seen her earn caps at SA Under-19 Women level after progressing through the Cricket South Africa development pathway.
Born in Gqeberha before spending part of her childhood in Johannesburg and later moving to Cape Town, Filander was introduced to cricket through her brother, Jaydd Filander, after watching him play Mini-Cricket and noticing there were no girls involved.
“I think with my brother, I watched him play Mini-Cricket, and I saw there were no other girls playing, so I was like, ‘Ah, let me take this on,’ because I was always in competition with him.
“I thought it was an easy thing to do with him, and then ever since, I just fell in love with the game,” Filander commented.
That competitive beginning eventually developed into a passion for the sport and, although wicketkeeping was not initially part of the plan, Filander, who attended Durbanville Primary School, soon found her place behind the stumps.
“I think the wicketkeeping started in Grade 3, when they first introduced us to red-ball cricket. First they wanted me to bowl, so I bowled a bit, and I was like, every time I bowled, it was just wide and wide and wide, and I couldn't take that anymore.
“Then someone introduced me to wicketkeeping; they said there was no other wicketkeeper there, so I took the gloves. Ever since, I’ve enjoyed the adrenaline and just that feeling I get behind the stumps every time I take a catch,” she recalled.
The former Fairmont High School pupil has since progressed through the Western Province and national Under-19 structures, representing South Africa at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia, where the side reached their maiden final. Filander is also currently part of the SA Under-19 Women’s group preparing for the 2027 edition.
She credits SA Under-19 Women head coach Dinesha Devnarain and the national youth programme for helping her develop both as a cricketer and a person.
“I first got introduced to the Under-19 set-up when I was 17 years old. I got introduced first through the camps, and I was a bit unfamiliar with the space.
“But ever since I made the 2025 World Cup team, and now that we're busy preparing for 2027 with Coach Dinesha, her philosophies and how she goes about things are something I try to implement every day and use to become a better person. She treats us as cricketers, but also makes you whole as a person.”
Her journey took another significant turn when she received an unexpected phone call informing her that she had been called up to the Proteas Women squad as a replacement for the injured Sinalo Jafta.
“It was actually quite funny. I had no idea I was going to get the call. I was actually running, and then I came back and Clinton (Du Preez, Convenor of Selectors) called me. I was talking to him, but I was out of breath.
“It took me a few seconds to register what he was saying, and then once it clicked, I was like, ‘Oh.’ I even asked him, ‘Are you sure?’
“I didn't expect it, but I was definitely filled with excitement, and I was eager to learn how the space is and how it's different compared to Under-19s, and how the Proteas operate.”
For Filander, receiving a maiden international cap would represent more than her own progression. It would also recognise the contribution of her family and the coaches who have invested their time in her development throughout her young career.
“It'll be an honour to represent my country. It’s my first time being called up, and just to get a cap will be quite memorable for me, and to go out there and show off the hard work I've been putting in.
“And just to represent my family's name as well, to show all the hard work the coaches put in, and the effort and time they spent on me, and just to fulfil what they've been training me for,” Filander concluded.
Proteas Women’s T20I Squad against Zimbabwe:
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), *Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province Cobras), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Warriors), Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Kayla Reyneke (Western Province Cobras), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (Western Province Cobras) and Caitlin Wyngaard (Fidelity Titans)
*Uncapped
Fixtures - Proteas Women T20 Outbound Tour against Zimbabwe -
Thursday, 17 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe v South Africa at 1:30pm
Saturday, 19 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe v South Africa at 1:30pm