The stakes are high as the South African U-19 women’s cricket team, under the guidance of four former Proteas, prepares for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2.
This marks their second foray into the global arena, with hopes of bringing home the trophy after a near-miss in the previous edition.
Drawn in group C, the SA U19 Women will face Samoa, New Zealand, and fellow African side Nigeria in the group stages.
The squad includes Kayla Reyneke, 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 and Chanel Venter.
Donning their green and gold and sharing their knowledge with the young women are Dinesha Devnarain, Trisha Chetty, Marcia Letsoalo, and Angelique Taai.
After the SA U19 Women narrowly missed out on a playoff spot in 2023, due to net run rate, head coach, Dinesha Devnarain emphasised the importance of preparation and unity in the pursuit of excellence.
Devnarain said it was an honour and privilege to head up the SA U19 Women for the second time.
She said having worked with the 2023 and 2025 groups gave her the opportunity to see what’s coming next for women’s cricket.
“We’ve placed a strong focus on building a cohesive leadership team, aligning with our philosophy of playing an aggressive yet calculated brand of cricket that mirrors the Proteas Women.
“As a former Proteas player, my coaching philosophy prioritises people before performance. I believe in developing players holistically, focusing on small improvements and fostering a culture of care and growth. It’s about getting 1% better each day and doing the basics exceptionally well,” said Devnarain.
Letsoalo, the team's manager, said the team represented the future of South African women’s cricket.
"It’s been a privilege to be part of their development. The journey to the World Cup has been about more than just cricket; it’s been about teaching these young stars the values of teamwork, dedication, and self-belief.
“Chasing greatness on the world stage is no easy feat, but I’m confident in this group’s ability to rise to the occasion and make South Africa proud,” said Letsoalo.
Chetty, the team’s fielding coach, said the girls worked incredibly hard and have set high standards as a fielding unit, adding their focus now is to maintain those standards at the World Cup and build resilience to bounce back when things don’t go their way.
“Transitioning into coaching after 16 years of playing at the highest level has allowed me to share my knowledge and experiences with these young players. It’s an incredible feeling to help them develop not only their skills but also the mental toughness needed to thrive in high-pressure situations,” said Chetty.
Taai, the bowling coach, said as a former Proteas bowler, she has been able to draw on her experience to nurture the next generation.
"By blending technical knowledge with personal insights from my playing days, I hope to contribute to the success of this team and its individuals. Our bowlers are prepared to face the challenges of the World Cup with confidence and resilience,” said Taai.
South Africa U19 women's first world cup game will be against New Zealand on Saturday.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE