Laura Wolvaardt and Dane van Niekerk Lead a Transformed South African Team Against Ireland

That this is Wolvaardt’s team has become clear over the last two global events, where she led them to the final in the T20 World Cup in Dubai and the ODI World Cup in India. That she leads by example is also apparent: Wolvaardt was the top run-scorer at both tournaments. Initially a reluctant captain who feared how it would affect her own form, Wolvaardt has thrived with the extra responsibility and her rising tide has lifted the collective boat.

Luus, too, has carved her own path since stepping away from the captaincy after the home T20 World Cup in 2023. In September that year, she scored her first ODI century, and in 2024, she began bowling offspin. She is now one of the side’s premier all-rounders and does not seem to miss being in charge, which is understandable given how fraught things were when she took over. Luus was handed the reins in that grey period when van Niekerk was injured and she was referred to as a stand-in skipper while South Africa waited for their regular captain, van Niekerk, to return.

Now, four years later, she’s back, but not as captain and definitely not as the main attraction in a team that has moved on but has now made room for what she has to bring. Chiefly, what van Niekerk offers is experience, from a long international career, five years as captain and time spent in leagues around the world. She is also a genuine power-hitter, which was on display in her short time at the crease on Friday afternoon.

Next ball, Wolvaardt made her run again and van Niekerk did. It looked urgent, determined, and confident. She blocked the next ball and Wolvaardt had strike at the start of the 19th. Immediately, Wolvaardt wanted two: the real test of van Niekerk’s need for speed. She hustled, she made it. Wolvaardt on 99. No time to waste. When she wanted to run the next ball, van Niekerk responded and then hung back as she let Wolvaardt soak in her hometown achievement.

A small but passionate crowd had come to see the national women’s side in their first appearance at Newlands since reaching the T20 World Cup final in February 2023 and all of them were on their feet for Wolvaardt. From her position, van Niekerk applauded with them and then met her captain mid-pitch for a warm embrace. The pride was evident; the baton properly passed.

And then, just briefly, van Niekerk was able to occupy some of the main stage. She premeditated the reverse-lap off Orla Prendergast for her first boundary, then cut hard through point and a misfield on the boundary gave her a second, and she closed out the over with a straight drive. After six balls, van Niekerk had 15 runs.

Show’s over, Wolvaardt seemed to say as she plundered a four, another four, six and then one off the first four balls of the final over. Now it is, van Niekerk responded and drove the fifth ball through the covers for four. The rivalry, of course, is manufactured but the symbolism remains. There they were: two people who have spent their careers working for South Africa’s cricketing excellence and now, they are able to do it together.

“She’s been great so far. It looks like she just wants to contribute in any way she can,” Wolvaardt said of van Niekerk in the pre-match press conference. “Obviously has a lot of knowledge cricket-wise and is a very smart cricketer. She has a look to offer to the team, more than just her skill. It’s just nice to have her back. And it seems like she’s really prepared to do whatever she can for the team. She brings a lot of energy to the group. On the field she’s normally vocal and loud. We can definitely use that.”

But it was Wolvaardt who was the most lively when South Africa stepped out to defend their score of 220. She directed traffic more than usual, took two catches at short fine leg and fired in bullet throws from her position in the covers. Van Niekerk prowled the outer ring, followed instructions and only once moved in to offer an opinion when the think-tank met. When the last wicket fell, van Niekerk was at deep cover and almost the last to reach the huddle. As she approached, Wolvaardt broke away from the group, went to van Niekerk and they shared a handshake and a hug. She’s back, but she’s back in a team that is different to the one she left.

“To have her back is cool for everyone. She brings a lot of experience. But as a team it also evolved a lot. We have new values and a whole new structure, so I think it’s also for her to adapt to that and the new brand of cricket we’re playing,” Luus said afterwards. “She’s done that brilliantly and she and coach Mandla (Mashimbyi) seem to have a good relationship. So I think there’s something very good brewing over there.”

On cue, van Niekerk was seen deep in conversation with Mashimbyi as the match ended, before she joined the rest of the squad for a signing session. There, the fan favourite seemed to be Chloe Tryon and the selfie queen was undoubtedly Nonkululekho Mlaba but van Niekerk got her fair share of attention. Many still know and appreciate who she is and what she did, and those who don’t could find out over the rest of the series and beyond.