THE 2025 ICC Under 19 Women’s World Cup is just around the corner, and to build-up to the tournament Rookie Me Central will take a look at each of the groups in this year’s tournament and preview how each nation may fare.

Next up in the series, it is time to take a look at the teams in Group C – New Zealand, Nigeria, Samoa and South Africa.

New Zealand

Squad: Tash Wakelin (c), Elizabeth Buchanan, Kate Chandler, Sophie Court, Hannah Francis, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal, Louisa Kotkamp, Ayaan Lambat, Emma McLeod, Hannah O’Connor, Darcy-Rose Prasad, Anika Tauwhare, Anika Todd, Eve Wolland

New Zealand made the semi finals at the 2023 tournament, and will be looking to go at least one step further, if not two, this time around.

Luckily the Kiwis have plenty of experience coming back to this tournament from their 2023 squad, with Tash Wakelin, Kate Chandler, Emma McLeod, Louisa Kotkamp and Kate Irwin all primed for their second tournament. In an added bonus for the Kiwis, Wakelin is one of the few captains in this tournament who was part of the 2023 campaign.

Nigeria

Squad: Lucky Piety (c), Adeshola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya, Anointed Akhigbe, Amusa Kehinde, Deborah Bassey (wk), Jessica Bieni, Christabel Chukwuonye, Omosigho Eguakun, Victory Igbinedion, Naomi Memeh, Beauty Oguai, Lilian Ude, Usen Peace, Umoh Inyene

Nigeria is making its debut at this tournament, and will be looking to make an impact straight away. Although, as an up and coming cricketing nation, there will be no great expectations.

A huge bonus for the Nigerians is that they boast perhaps the most experienced captain at the entire tournament, with allrounder Lucky Piety having almost 50 senior caps for her country.

Samoa

Squad: Avetia Fetu Mapu (c), Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Verra Farane, Angel Sootaga So, Norah-Jade Salima, Stefania Pauga, Jane Tali’ilagi Manase, Masina Tafea, Silepea Polataivao, Katrina Uiese Taa Samu, Stella Sagalala, Barbara Ella Keresoma, Apolonia K Polataivao, Selina Lilo, Sala Viliamu

Like Nigeria, the Samoans will be looking to make an impact in their tournament debut, but do so with little pressure as an up and coming cricketing nation.

They will be led by Avetia Fetu Mapu, who does have some experience playing in the premier cricket in Auckland, which may come in handy when Samoa takes on New Zealand.

South Africa

Squad: Kayla Reyneke (c), Jemma Botha, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Mona-Lisa Legodi, Simoné Lourens, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Diara Ramlakan, Diedré van Rensburg, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter

The 2023 hosts will be looking to build on their efforts from two years ago and make it at least out of the super six stage of the tournament.

They are certainly bringing plenty of experience with them this tournament. Captain Kayla Reyneke, as well as Jemma Botha, Mona-Lisa Legodi, Simone Lourens, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Nthabiseng Nini, were all in the South African squad at the last tournament, while Naidu and Meso both have senior international experience too.