Kayla Reyneke: A massive privilege to wear Proteas Women's badge

Former South Africa Under-19 Women’s captain and all-rounder Kayla Reyneke has expressed her excitement ahead of the Proteas Women’s upcoming three-match T20 International (T20I) series from 10–16 February, following her first-ever national call-up.

The T20I series forms part of the team’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held in England from 12 June. With World Cup selection still some way off, Reyneke hopes to use the Pakistan series as a learning curve.

“As a youngster coming into this space, you want to learn as much as possible and be a sponge. You want to talk to the management and the top-class players you have as teammates. But basically, I just want to have fun.

“As Coach Mandla (Mashimbyi) told me, go out and play without expectation, play your own game and just have fun. That’s what I want to achieve on this tour,” the 20-year-old commented.

Reyneke’s maiden call-up follows promising performances for the World Sports Betting Western Province over the past 18 months. The all-rounder ended the 2024/25 season with an average of 24 and a strike rate of 140 with the bat, alongside a tournament-leading 14 wickets at an average of 8.64 in seven matches during the Hollywoodbets Pro20.

The offspinner then followed that up with seven wickets in her five matches in this season’s domestic T20 cricket.

When asked about the moment she received the call-up and what it meant to be selected alongside players she grew up watching, Reyneke spoke candidly about receiving a call from a number she did not recognise and how special it will be to share a dressing room with her cricketing heroes.

“I actually got the call from Coach Mandla. I was just waking up from an afternoon nap. This random phone number called me and I was like, ‘Hello, who’s this?’ And then it was Coach Mandla.

“Growing up, these were people I was looking up to and watching from the side of the field, so it’s just a massive privilege and honour to wear this badge,” she added.

Born in Kuils River, 25km east of Cape Town, the former Bellville Hoërskool pupil also credits her experience with the SA U19 Women. Reyneke was part of the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2023 and the subsequent edition in 2025, where she captained the side to their first-ever final appearance.

Speaking on the impact U19 cricket had on her, Reyneke said: “I would say the competitiveness and the professional side of things at Under-19 level, especially on the World Cup stage. It can’t get any bigger than that, so it was a massive honour to represent my country at the Under-19 level.”

“I’d say captaining your side, and captaining South Africa as well, is not just about leading a team. You’re carrying your country on your shoulders and representing South Africa. I would definitely take the leadership skills I learned from that experience, as well as the professionalism under Coach Dinesha (Devnarain). It’s been massive.”

Proteas Women’s T20I Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans) (Captain), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)

*Uncapped

Fixtures

Tuesday, 10 February at 6pm @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Friday, 13 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Monday, 16 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni