THE 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are only a matter of weeks away, and Cricket is making its triumphant return to the schedule at these Games. In preparation, we will be taking a look at each of the competing nations to see how they stack up.

Today’s preview is of a team on the rise, South Africa.

South Africa is one of those sides that has been middle of the road for a while in terms of the world standings, but in the last few years has started to make its presence felt on the global stage.

For a long time the Proteas were not the worst in the world, but could not quite match it with the top sides like Australia and New Zealand.

But that is beginning to change, and they have the talent to take them far.

Take the last T20 World Cup for example. They finished top of their group and undefeated in the pool stage before ultimately being knocked out in the semi final by the eventual champions, Australia. They will certainly be looking to go at least one better at these Games.

Most of the big names and top end talent in the Proteas’ line up at these games comes from their older, more experienced players, so the South Africans will certainly be hoping to finally break through for a title while these players are still in the side.

In terms of batting prowess, it is hard to go past Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon van der Merwe, who have both torn up the WBBL in recent seasons. Some may not recognise the name Mignon van der Merwe, but they would certainly recognise her by her maiden name – du Preez.

Moving across to the bowling stocks, both Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp are some of the quickest, most lethal bowlers going around in the women’s game, and compliment them with the likes of allrounder Chloe Tryon and the Proteas certainly have quite the variety of options at their disposal. 

The big out for the Proteas for this tournament though is skipper Dane van Niekerk, who unfortunately for the Proteas is still out with the fractured ankle she suffered earlier this year. This means Sune Luus will continue as captain in her absence.

Another huge out for this squad is Lizelle Lee, who only just announced her retirement from international cricket recently.

In terms of South Africa’s schedule at the Games, it is in the tougher pool but unlike the English, there are plenty of uncertainties for the South Africans.

The Proteas have not played either the Kiwis or Sri Lankans since before the last World Cup, so there is no recent history to go off between the countries.

However, there is certainly recent history between the Proteas and the English.

The South Africans were the only team at the last World Cup that the English could not beat, plus the pair are about to start a series against each other, so both sides will get a good look at each other before they face each other at the Commonwealth Games.

South African Squad

Sune Luus (c), Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Maria Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Mignon van der Merwe, Laura Wolvaardt

South Africa’s Schedule

Saturday 30 July – New Zealand
Tuesday 2 August – England
Thursday 4 August – Sri Lanka