Cricket South Africa has named the South Africa women’s U-19 team that will compete at the 2026 Nigeria Cricket Federation Women’s T20 International Invitational Tournament in Lagos from March 18 to 29, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The tournament forms a key part of South Africa’s build-up to the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be staged in Bangladesh and Nepal in January next year.
The South Africans met Nigeria’s U-19 women’s team at the last edition of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, where they secured a 41-run victory over Nigeria before losing the final to India.
During the league phase, the SA U-19 women will face senior national teams from Rwanda, Ghana, Sierra Leone and hosts Nigeria.
All fixtures will be played at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos. The top two teams at the end of the round-robin stage will progress to the final, while the next two highest-placed sides will contest the third-place playoff.
The 15-player South African squad features the return of Mieke van Voorst, Jae-Leigh Filander, Ashleigh van Wyk and Chanel Venter.
The touring party also includes first-time outbound tourists Miya Lalor, Ziya Mohanlall and Ashley Barnard, all of whom impressed during last month’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe U-19 and the CSA Youth XI in Chatsworth.
South Africa U-19 Women Convenor of Selectors, AJ Rudman, said, “Touring Nigeria presents a great opportunity for this group to test themselves in unfamiliar conditions against experienced senior opposition. Exposure to different environments and styles of play is critical in the development of young cricketers.
“Competing against senior players will challenge their growth from a tactical and mental perspective. These experiences are essential as we continue to identify and shape the players who will form the core of our World Cup campaign.”
Head coach Dinesha Devnarain added, “With 11 months to go before the World Cup, game time is crucial, and the T20 Invitational in Nigeria will provide that in abundance, with intense competition expected against experienced teams. Tournament-style cricket will also help these youngsters understand how to handle increased pressure in matches.
“I’m excited to see the growth of the group following a very competitive Tri-Series in January, where several players put up their hands and showcased their abilities, not only through performance, but through their leadership and character as well.”
Their first match will be against Rwanda on Saturday, March 21.
