The Proteas Women are set to take another crucial step on their journey towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup when they take on Pakistan in the three-match T20 International (T20I) series against Pakistan, beginning with the opening fixture on Tuesday in Potchefstroom.
The first T20I launches a ‘Brave Summer of Cricket’ for 2026 for the Proteas Women and will get underway at 18:00 SAST at the JB Marks Oval in the North West, with the clash broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Ch. 201) and SABC 3.
The series forms part of South Africa’s build-up to the global showpiece, set to be held in England from 12 June, as the Proteas look to repeat and better their two silver medal finishes in the 2023 and 2024 editions, with head coach Mandla Mashimbyi and captain Laura Wolvaardt underlining the importance of clarity, intent and belief as a team.
“The World Cup is a massive focus for us, and this series forms an important part of our preparation towards that. It’s about making sure we’re developing all the areas within our squad and giving ourselves the best chance to be competitive when it matters,” Mashimbyi commented.
South Africa arrived in Potchefstroom five days before the start of the series to undergo an intensive pre-tour camp, sharpening skills and conditioning under hot conditions. With the World Cup firmly in mind, Wolvaardt believes the Pakistan series provides an opportunity to reinforce the brand of cricket the Proteas Women are committed to playing.
'MASSIVE WORLD CUP'
“Preparation has been awesome. The team arrived early, had some really good sessions, and put in some hard yards. We’ve played a lot of T20 cricket lately, and the squad is looking really good, so it’s exciting.
“The World Cup is obviously massive for us this year, so any T20 game is great preparation for that. Every game we play now has that tournament in mind. That journey starts now. We want to play our best cricket and hopefully build some momentum heading into the World Cup,” Wolvaardt said.
As the team continues to refine their approach, the group, under the tutelage of Mashimbyi, has paid particular attention to the different phases of T20 cricket, especially in the middle overs.
“In T20 cricket, matches are often decided in specific moments, particularly in the middle phase. Overs 7 - 15 are probably the key overs in the game. If you can control those overs, whether you’re batting or bowling, you give yourself the best chance of winning matches,” the head coach added.
The visitors are familiar opponents for the Proteas Women, with the hosts travelling to Pakistan in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for a white-ball tour. In the T20I format, both sides have enjoyed recent success against each other, with Pakistan claiming a three-nil triumph in 2023 before South Africa earned a 2-1 series victory 12 months later.
“We know Pakistan very well, and they know us, but it’s exciting to host them and play in our conditions. That helps our preparation, and hopefully we can play a positive brand of cricket against them,” the skipper added.
PROTEAS WOMEN T20I SQUAD:
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans) (Captain), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
*Uncapped
Fixtures - Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour against Pakistan
T20I Series
Tuesday, 10 February at 18:00 - 1st T20I - South Africa v Pakistan (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Friday, 13 February at 18:00 - 2nd T20I - South Africa v Pakistan (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Monday, 16 February at 18:00 - 3rd T20I - South Africa v Pakistan (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)