Tebogo Macheke has been handed her first international call-up as South Africa Women have named a mostly unchanged 15-player squad for a five-match T20I showdown against India at home, scheduled from April 17 to April 27. The Titans wicketkeeper-batter comes in for the injured Karabo Meso, while Eliz-Mari Marx returns to the group replacing seamer Masabata Klaas—two alterations to the side that previously toured New Zealand. The series also functions as a key build-up step ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, with Laura Wolvaardt set to continue in the captain’s role.
Key takeaways
- Tebogo Macheke earns a maiden South Africa Women T20I selection, replacing the injured Karabo Meso.
- Eliz-Mari Marx returns to the squad, taking the spot of Masabata Klaas.
- Laura Wolvaardt will lead the team as South Africa target World Cup preparation in a five-match home series vs India.
- The Proteas coaching group will see changes after the 2025-26 season, with three coaches set to exit at contract end.
- Interim coaching roles will be filled by Tumi Masekela (strength and conditioning), Andrew Puttick (batting) and Mduduzi Mbhatha (fielding).
Squad news and selection context
The Proteas Women’s selection features continuity after the group’s recent outing in New Zealand, where they faced India’s next opponents as part of their own development cycle. Anneke Bosch retains her spot after stepping in for Dane van Niekerk during the New Zealand tour, with van Niekerk having missed time due to a calf issue. Marizanne Kapp, meanwhile, remains unavailable as she continues her rehabilitation following illness.
Cricket South Africa also confirmed a shift behind the scenes. Batting coach Baakier Abrahams, fielding coach Bongani Ndaba and strength and conditioning coach Zane Webster will move on at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season once their contracts finish. Their roles will be covered on an interim basis by Tumi Masekela in strength and conditioning, Andrew Puttick as batting coach, and Mduduzi Mbhatha taking charge of fielding.
South Africa Women squad and match schedule
South Africa Women’s squad for the T20I series against India: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Tebogo Macheke, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon.
The series arrives shortly after South Africa’s recent results away from home, where they suffered a 1-4 defeat in the T20I leg against New Zealand and then went on to lose the ODI series 1-2. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi described the turnaround as quick but insisted that hosting India in T20Is is always a special occasion. He also noted that, while the team has learned a great deal during the New Zealand trip, the squad is eager to get back on the field and keep building through games and training.
Mashimbyi specifically welcomed the two incoming players. “We are excited to welcome Eliz-Mari and Tebogo to the group, and we are looking forward to seeing how they contribute to the team as we continue the journey towards the T20 World Cup,” he said. He added that bringing in new voices can add fresh perspective and lift the energy within the group, while also expressing gratitude to Baakier Abrahams, Bongani Ndaba and Zane Webster for the foundation they have helped establish. For this next stage, he framed the coaching transition as part of a wider opportunity to test themselves further as World Cup preparations continue.
Selectors’ convener Clinton du Preez explained why the squad has been kept largely intact. With the T20 World Cup close on the calendar, he said the team is entering a crucial phase and that maintaining a stable core is vital. That approach, he suggested, gives the coaching group room to strengthen team cohesion across areas, explore combinations and refine a strategy aimed at success in the global tournament. Du Preez also outlined the thinking behind the two changes: Marx is included to adjust squad balance based on team requirements, while Macheke’s selection follows her consistent performances at domestic level and at Emerging level, earning her a chance to stake a claim at international level.
Enoch Nkwe, Cricket South Africa’s Director of National Teams and High Performance, reflected on the departing coaches’ impact and welcomed their replacements. He thanked Baakier Abrahams, Bongani Ndaba and Zane Webster for contributions to the national setup and highlighted the role they played in recent success. Nkwe also expressed satisfaction at welcoming Tumi Masekela, Andrew Puttick and Mduduzi Mbhatha, noting that the programme is being strengthened with fresh thinking in pursuit of sustained achievement.
The five-match series begins with consecutive T20Is in Durban on April 17 and April 19. The action then moves to Johannesburg for the third and fourth matches on April 22 and April 25, before the tour wraps up in Benoni on April 27.
