The professionalisation of women’s cricket received a further boost last week when Cricket South Africa announced the names of sixteen nationally contracted players, one more than the previous year.
Among them, Hollywoodbets Dolphins fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi and Fidelity Titans all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx stand out as rising stars who have earned their maiden national contracts after an impressive debut season for the Proteas Women.
As the Proteas Women’s team undergoes a transition phase, with the departure of key players, nurturing new talent becomes paramount. Hlubi’s emergence as a revelation and Marx’s promise for the future highlight the importance of investing in development structures to foster rising stars.
Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe emphasized that the player selection reflects CSA’s commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding exceptional performances, aiming to build competitive teams capable of global success.
The introduction of domestic semi-pro contracts and a robust provincial setup have provided opportunities for players to showcase their skills, allowing national coach Hilton Moreeng to explore potential new stars.
Photo: Cricket South Africa/Gallo Images
The introduction of professional contracts in 2013, supported by Momentum, laid the foundation for the growth of women’s cricket in South Africa.
Over the years, these contracts, coupled with players’ participation in global leagues, have elevated the profile of South African women’s cricket, culminating in their historic appearance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final in early 2023.
The recent launch of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and the Domestic League in August 2023 have further bolstered women’s cricket in South Africa, providing vital exposure and opportunities for young talent like Karabo Meso and Madison Landsman.
Looking ahead, the Proteas Women have their sights set on the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year, offering them a chance to compete for silverware on the global stage.
With the support of CSA and a pool of emerging talent, the Proteas Women are poised to continue their upward trajectory in world cricket.
Proteas Women’s Contract Squad 2024/25
Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans)
Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers)
Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)
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)
Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans)
Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions)
Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans)
Main Photo Caption: Fidelity Titans all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx (pictured) and Hollywoodbets Dolphins fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi stand out as rising stars who have earned their maiden national contracts after an impressive debut season for the Proteas Women. Photo: Cricket South Africa/Gallo Images
Photo 2 Caption: Fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi’s emergence has been a revelation with the departure of key players. Photo: Cricket South Africa/Gallo Images
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