Powerplay podcast: Dane van Niekerk, from retirement to redemption
Dane van Niekerk opens up about her past, her present, and her future
ESPNcricinfo staff
18-Dec-2025 • 20 hrs ago
It's been quite the ride for Dane van Niekerk.
When she went out to take on Ireland earlier this month, it was her first appearance for South Africa since September 2021. In between, she had announced her retirement, in March 2023, after being left out of South Africa's T20 World Cup squad for the 2023 tournament on fitness grounds.
Under new head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, fitness is not as big a selection criteria as it used to be, she could well be in the frame for the T20 World Cup next year. The 88 in an ODI against Ireland, and 21 not out in eight balls and a 19-ball 41 in the T20Is that same series have ensured that.
Here, Firdose Moonda and Valkerie Baynes catch up with the former South Africa captain to talk about her time out of the game, her comeback, South Africa's rise in the interim period, and much else.