In the entire ecosystem of the cricketing world, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has earned the reputation for its consistent efforts in nurturing young cricketing talent.
The organization has taken yet another progressive leap—this time with a special focus on the women’s game. Known for moulding a strong base of youth, ready to shine on the international stage, CSA is now working on its commitment to empowering young girls in cricket, particularly those belonging to the Under-19 age group.
Building on the momentum and success of the inaugural SA20 U19 Women’s Camps, the second edition of the SA U19 Women’s National Training Camp has officially kicked off at the prestigious CSA Centre of Excellence in Tshwane.
This initiative marks a pivotal moment for women’s cricket in South Africa, as it not only aims to refine raw talent but also instills a sense of professionalism and high-performance culture at an early stage. CSA’s leap forward reflects a long-term vision—one that sees these under-19 girls not just as future players, but as potential game-changers who can elevate South African women’s cricket to new heights on the world stage.
This four-day camp, commencing from April 25 and winding up on April 28, bends together the collaborative efforts between Cricket South Africa (CSA) and SA20 to nurture emerging talent ahead of the all-important ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027.
The 24-member squad brings together a promising mix of rising stars from the U19 circuit, headlined by Six Gun Grill Western Province’s wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander. Filander was a key figure in the Junior Proteas outfit that clinched a silver medal at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia, showcasing her pedigree on the global stage.
Much like the structure of the first U19 Women’s camp held in March, this group of players has been carefully chosen based on their exceptional performances during the 2024/25 National Weeks, reflecting the depth and competitiveness of talent across the country.
Throughout the high-intensity camp, the cricketers will undergo athletic performance profiling along with net sessions and intrasquad matches, all closely being monitored and tested under lenses by the coaching staff and national scouts.
Also, the team will also receive a visit from former Proteas Men’s batter and current SA20 Head of Cricket Operations, Stephen Cook.
SA U19 Women head coach, Dinesha Devnarain, commented, “Like we did with the first camp, the players selected for this second U19 national camp were identified based on strong performances during the National Weeks. This is the second group from an initial pool of 50 players, and it’s exciting to bring together another talented batch to see how they compete and showcase their abilities.”
“We’re looking for vibrant players who can support our brand, and ultimately, we’re searching for those with the potential to lift a World Cup trophy for South Africa in the U19 space.”
Devnarain mentioned that the camp will introduce fitness standards to the players while also providing them with exposure to inspiring voices, including Stephen Cook from SA20, who will address the group about supporting the Under-19 programme.
She emphasized that a strong focus will be placed on game time, with matches scheduled throughout the weekend and possibly a net session to observe how the players train and translate their efforts into actual match situations. The camp will conclude with a debrief session to reflect on the overall observations and learnings.
SA20 U19 Women Camp Squad – 25 – 28 April
Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Jezé Campher (Garden Route Badgers), Jessica Candler (KZN Inland), Nakeeta Collins (Western Province), Linako Cekiso (Eastern Province), Reabetswe Dithipe (North West), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Musa Halana (Eastern Province), Kirsten Kaltwasser (KZN Inland), Boipelo Kubeka (Titans), Zita Logenstein (Western Province), Nosiphiwe Mashele (Lions), Entle Mkhaliphi (Dolphins), Ayanda Mosothoane (North West), Mankwana Moriri (Lions), Amogelang Motlaolwa (Easterns), Thando Nelane (Free State), Sophie Read (Dolphins), Ane Saunderson (North West), Janel Steenkamp (Boland), Zaurah Titus (Western Province), Cayleigh Wanckel (Border) and Ziyanda Xulu (Dolphins)
(Quotes sourced from Cricket South Africa media release)
