Dané van Niekerk, former Proteas captain and world-class all-rounder, has been a key figure in South African women’s cricket. After a break from the game, she has now returned to domestic action with WSB Western Province in the Hollywoodbets Pro Series.
After stepping away from international cricket, Van Niekerk found herself in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in years, she wasn’t playing any form of cricket.
However, returning to the domestic scene at the start of the 2024/25 season has been an experience she has relished.
"Yeah, it's been interesting. Obviously, I haven't played before this. I haven't played cricket properly for a year, a year and a half, competitively. So, I didn't quite know what to expect but so far, I've really enjoyed it. I know now I've really missed the game."
For Van Niekerk, it wasn’t just about playing again - it was about rediscovering her love for cricket.
"Doing nothing for a year, a year and a half and now having that responsibility again, it really helped me. I've just been enjoying it. I came into domestic cricket again with no personal expectations. There was no thinking of going further than just playing for Western Province. My goal was just to help them win a double and so far, it's been going well. The team has been going really well. So hopefully that can continue."
Her return has undoubtedly been a boost for Western Province in the Pro Series with her leadership and experience adding immense value to the squad, helping the team to first place in the Pro20 and third place in the Pro50.
One of the most notable aspects of van Niekerk’s return has been her batting performances. Before the season resumed in 2025, she had already amassed 214 runs in five T20s, including one hundred and one half-century as the top run scorer in the Pro20.
However, for someone as seasoned as her, personal milestones were never the focus.
"I didn't know I was top of the runs table. That's pretty cool. But again, like I said there are no personal expectations. I just want to add value to the environment.
"I feel like I've got a lot to give knowledge-wise and tactical knowledge and all those things and then the game itself. So, I think that's just the idea of kind of giving back in that way.
"My job is to put in the performances as well. It's not international cricket. We know that's a different standard but I still have to go out there and score runs. Again, from not playing much cricket at all to being able to contribute to the team with the bat, it shows me that I can still play a little bit.
"Even as an international cricketer, it was never about the personal achievements. As long as I can contribute to a winning environment, then I think my job's done then."
During her tenure with the national team, Van Niekerk rarely had the chance to experience domestic cricket first-hand. Now, being back at the domestic level, she has been able to witness the depth of talent within the Hollywoodbets Pro Series.
"I've been pleasantly surprised. When I played for South Africa, I didn't get the opportunity to play a lot of domestic cricket. You stay in this bubble with the South African team and you don't see all the talent out there.
"There's definitely a lot of talent out there, young ones. Even some of the older players have been very impressive - players that have played for South Africa as well. It's still putting in the performances. There's a healthy pool of players that can be picked from and certainly putting their hands up and making the selectors notice them, which is very good.
"We always strive to get women's cricket on the map. The current team has done incredibly well, making the finals to really up women's cricket. That's the main point, making sure that the pipeline is healthy and it's pumping. It definitely is, especially professionalising the game."
This weekend, the Pro20 log leaders WP will be taking on third-placed DP World Lions across both competitions in Cape Town.
The last time the two teams faced off, they shared the results with the Lions convincingly winning the One-Day contest by 88 runs before the Western Cape outfit returned the favour with a 55-run triumph in the T20s, with van Niekerk scoring a half-century as they posted 198/4.
“They are a quality outfit with a lot of aggressive players, with the bat and the ball and some young guns as well.
"It’s a very evenly matched game for us. Every game there’s pressure because all the teams are so good you don’t want to drop a game because of momentum.
“It’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be hard fought and I expect a lot of controlled aggression and some good cricket and hopefully, we can beat them at home and make up for the loss in the One-Days and continue the form in the T20s,” she added.
FIXTURES
HOLLYWOODBETS PRO50
Saturday – 10am
WSB Western Province v DP World Lions – WSB Newlands
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Knights – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead
Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers v Fidelity Titans – Recreation Ground, Oudtshoorn
HOLLYWOODBETS PRO20
Sunday – 10am
WSB Western Province v DP World Lions – WSB Newlands
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Knights – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead
Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers v Fidelity Titans – Recreation Ground, Oudtshoorn
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