STEYN CITY PAIR HEADLINE SA U19 WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD

Central Gauteng Lions’ Schools SA20 Phase 1 winners, Steyn City School have two members of the 15-player squad announced for the second edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Wicketkeeper-batter, Karabo Meso as well as her school captain, Diara Ramlakan will be off to the tournament which is set to take place in Malaysia from 18 January-2 February 2025. Meso, who made her senior Proteas Women debut earlier this year (playing twice against Sri Lanka) will play in her second junior World Cup while Ramlakan was a reserve back in 2023 but now gets her chance in the playing squad.

The Steyn City pair played key roles in their team’s progression to Phase 2 of Schools SA20. Ramlakan scored 118 during a 144-run victory over South Hub which started their campaign, before Meso contributed 42 in their 94-run semifinal win over Northcliff High Schools. They then both scored fifties – Meso 59 and Ramlakan 67 – against Queens High School in final at Wanderers in what ended up being a nervy 2-run triumph to secure Central Gauteng Lions’ solitary spot.

WATCH NOW: Steyn City beat Queens in cliffhanger Schools SA20 Central Gauteng Lions Final

ALSO READ: When Meso was called up to the senior Proteas Women

Two of the five non-travelling reserves also played in that match: Keamogetswe Chuene (Queens HS, Central Gauteng Lions) and Jenna-Lee Lubbe (Steyn City School, Central Gauteng Lions).

Meanwhile, four other Schools SA20 stars will be heading to the Under-19 World Cup are, namely Jemma Botha (Wynberg Girls' High School/St Augustine Hub, Western Province), Deidré van Rensburg (Potchefstroom Gimnasium, North West), Ashleigh van Wyk (Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, Easterns) and Chanel Venter (HS Zwartkop, Titans). The trio all missed out on reaching Phase 2 of the competition, but only just for Van Wyk and Venter whose teams fell short in finals they had to play without them in back in October while they were on national duty against Ireland.

Head coach, Dinesha Devnarain commented: “This squad reflects the hunger and determination we've built over the last 18 months of preparation. The challenges we faced in India tested us, highlighted areas for growth, and ignited a drive within the team to compete at the highest level. We've selected a vibrant, versatile group that embodies the demands of modern cricket.

“Our goal is clear: to represent South Africa with pride, dominate the group stages, and ultimately bring the World Cup home.”

SA U19 WOMEN’S ICC T2O WORLD CUP SQUAD

Kayla Reyneke (Western Province - Captain), Jemma Botha (Wynberg Girls' High School/St Augustine Hub, Western Province), Fay Cowling (Central Gauteng Lions), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Titans), Simoné Lourens (Titans), Karabo Meso (Steyn City School, Central Gauteng Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (North West), Luyanda Nzuza (Free State), Diara Ramlakan (Steyn City School, Central Gauteng Lions), Deidré van Rensburg (Potchefstroom Gimnasium, North West), Mieke van Voorst (Easterns), Ashleigh van Wyk (Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, Easterns), Chanel Venter (HS Zwartkop, Titans).

Non-travelling reserves: Lethabo Bidli, Keamogetswe Chuene (Queens HS, Central Gauteng Lions), Jenna-Lee Lubbe (Steyn City School, Central Gauteng Lions), Jané Verhage and Sinelethu Yaso.

SA U19 WOMEN’S ICC T2O WORLD CUP FIXTURES

Saturday, 18 January @ 08h30 SAST - 1st Match: New Zealand vs South Africa U19 (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak)

Monday, 20 January @ 08h30 SAST - 2nd Match: South Africa U19 vs Samoa (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak)

Wednesday, 22 January @ 08h30 SAST - 3rd Match: South Africa U19 vs Nigeria (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak)

National team images, courtesy Gallo/CSA.