The South African Women's cricket team is gearing up for a landmark one-off Test match against England, taking place in Bloemfontein from December 15 to 18. This will be the eighth four-day encounter between the two sides, but significantly, it marks South Africa’s first home Test since March 2002.
For newly appointed coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who took on the role at the beginning of December, the focus is clear.
I’m excited. It will go a long way for the ladies in terms of them understanding their game and what’s needed in the longer version of the game. Getting an opportunity to play red-ball is good for our cricket and I’m looking forward to what they can bring.
Mashimbyi emphasised the importance of discipline, particularly in how batters handle time at the crease and how patient bowlers can be.
The measurables are quite simple for me, it’s how much time you are willing to spend in the crease as a batter and how patient you are willing to be as a bowler. So it’s all those things that we’re going to speak about and if we can see it coming to fruition during the game, that will give us a big plus.
With over a decade of experience at both domestic and international levels, Mashimbyi brings a proven track record of success, including multiple championships with the Momentum Multiply Titans. He has also served as bowling coach and assistant with the Proteas men's team, and most recently as fast bowling coach for SA20’s Paarl Royals.
South Africa’s 15-player squad features just one change from the group that recently lost the ODI series against England. Tumi Sekhukhune from the DP World Lions replaces Ayabonga Khaka, who is not part of the longer-format setup. The team also sees the return of Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, and Chloé Tryon, who missed the previous Test against India earlier this year.
Of the seven previous encounters between South Africa and England, England has claimed victory twice, while the remaining five—including their last meeting in June 2022 in Taunton—ended in draws.
South Africa will be eager to make their mark on home soil as they aim to bounce back against a formidable England side after losing both the T20 and One-day series.
Proteas Women Test Squad – Inbound Tour against England (2024/25)
- Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans)
- Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans)
- Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions)
- Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers)
- Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill 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)
- Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans)
- Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans)
- Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
- Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
