CSA to host national camps to prepare for U19 Women's World Cup in 2027

A total of 24 players will attend the first camp, including three promising talents who helped South Africa reach their first-ever U19 Women's World Cup final, where they finished as runners-up to India in Malaysia.

Ashleigh van Wyk, Diedre van Rensburg, and Chanel Venter are part of the squad, alongside Jane Verhage, who was a non-travelling reserve during that historic tournament.

As part of a broader vision to build a strong foundation for the next World Cup cycle, CSA has identified 50 players through its Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP), following an extensive scouting effort during the national weeks held at the end of 2024.

Head coach Dinesha Devnarain highlighted the thorough selection process undertaken to cast the net wide and ensure no stone is left unturned in unearthing talent across the country.

Devnarain said: "While myself and the management team were busy in Malaysia, the TAP leads and the Selectors went to the Under-13 Regional Week, Under-16 National Week and the Under-19 National Week and that's how we got to the 50 identified players.

"What we are also looking to do is a roadshow to go around the country and see that we've touched every avenue and we're not missing any talent that's out there.

"You know how the Weeks go, sometimes they might not perform at their best. So we want to give that opportunity again to go around the country in a less pressured environment."

The upcoming four-day national camp will focus heavily on skills development and match practice, with a specific emphasis on fitness, an area Devnarain is keen to elevate within the team.

Looking ahead, Devnarain also stressed the importance of blending experience with fresh talent, especially with several players from the previous World Cup squad still eligible for the 2027 campaign.

She continued: "It'll sort of be the same message that we said from the 2023 group to the 2025 group, nothing is guaranteed.

"At the end of the day, you've still got to meet the demands of international cricket and the brand of cricket that we want to play in South Africa. We also want to match up the girls that have been to World Cups before with the girls that havenâ™t.

"We want to match up those skills and see what areas we might have to fill as well as just from a mental aspect and creating a culture.  

"Really looking forward to heading into the 2027 preparations and to start with 50 girls that did relatively well for their provinces at the national week is an excellent way to start."

SA U19 Women training camp squad - 20-23 March: Daneli Boshoff (Boland), Nonhlanhla Danisa (Lions), Magdal-en Ernst (Lions), Tiche Frans (Garden Route Badgers), Jessica Joshua (North West), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Siphokuhle Masilela (Easterns), Kananelo Mokoena (Easterns), Boitumelo Motsabi (Free State), Taymin Muggels (Boland), Shelfa Mukhuri (Limpopo), Rethabile Nthoba (Free State), Lebogang Rakoeane (Free State), Erin Scrooby (Western Province), Gabriella Sequira (Titans), Shreeya Subbiah (Dolphins), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Maria Elizabeth van der Vyfer (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Imaan van Schalkwyk (Western Province), Mieke van Voorst (Easterns), Ashleigh van Wyk (Easterns), Chanel Venter (Titans) and Jane Verhage (Titans)

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