The Proteas Women are enjoying another national training camp ahead of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

This time, the 2023 runners-up are training in Durban, which will get them exposed to slightly different conditions. Captain Laura Wolvaardt as well as the all-rounder Marizanne Kapp are back in camp following the Women’s Hundred, while Chloe Tryon is playing in the Caribbean Premier League in Trinidad & Tobago.

Delmi Tucker. Photo: Cricinfo

The Proteas interim coach, Dillon du Preez, said this is one of the most important camps. “The outcome of the Durban camp will be crucial to help us ensure that we have the best possible squad ready for the World Cup. 

“With the camp largely focusing on match scenarios, it’ll give us a final opportunity to assess all the players and to start finalising their roles. With the World Cup only five weeks away, this training camp becomes important for us just to make sure things start falling into place from a skills, team culture, and conditioning perspective.” 

Du Preez also confirmed that Wolvaardt and Kapp are back with the team, while the allrounder Delmi Tucker is set to miss the T20 World Cup. “We’re very close to finalising our World Cup squad and the camp will give us some time to assess the players, looking at form, fitness, and overall readiness before we make a final decision.

“We also have Wolvaardt and Kapp back from The Hundred and will be joining us at the camp. Unfortunately, Delmi Tucker will miss out due to an operation on her shoulder and will only return early next year.”

The Proteas are scheduled to face England on 3 October in the opening match of the World Cup.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  mc/mvh