The last time Dane van Niekerk padded up for the Proteas, England still had a Queen, The Last of Us was only a video game and neither Lionel Messi nor any South African cricket team had lifted a World Cup.
In fact, no South African team had even made it to the final of a major ICC event in the shorter format of the game.
England’s monarch is now a King, The Last of Us is into its second season and Lionel Messi has a World Cup.
While South African cricket teams are still searching for theirs, they do have an ICC Test Championship Trophy and they have had not just one, but three appearances in finals at ICC short-form events.
A lot can change in the space of 1 536 or so days and as the Proteas prepare to take on Ireland in a three-match T20 and three-match ODI series, Van Niekerk will be profoundly aware that the times they have been a-changing.
Change for the 32-year old – yes, still only 32, twice as old as when she made her international debut – has been collective and deeply personal.
Between freak accidents causing near career-ending injuries, retirement and reversing retirement, the allrounder wants to do what she has always done: prove that she can.
“That’s the main goal – just proving to myself that I can really tick those boxes that I want to tick. I know if I tick those boxes, I will contribute to the team, hopefully in winning situations,” Van Niekerk said at a pre-tour camp in Cape Town ahead of the team’s first match.
Back to international cricket! 🇿🇦
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 2, 2025
Dané van Niekerk opens up about her return to the #TheProteas Women’s squad and the emotions behind this return to the world stage. 🌍💚 #Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/tPKPmsUCZn
Reversing the decision on retirement, she’s paid her dues with Western Province in the domestic competition with four fifties in seven innings and she returns to the team alongside veteran players who have all watched the women’s game – and their fortunes – change dramatically over the course of their careers.
Head Coach Mandla Mashimbyi is clear about expectations: “We all know how talented she is, her knowledge of the game, and she just needs to perform. She has got a legacy behind her, and now she has a second chance to showcase what she can do. She must just try and win games for this team.”
Dane van Niekerk 🇿🇦⭐
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 2, 2025
One of South Africa's best All-Rounders prepares for her International comeback 😤#SSCricket | #HereForHer | #SAvIRE pic.twitter.com/bRdMIrTcDp
But this is not just about Van Niekerk, of course. But she is a good judge of just how things have shifted – especially on the preparation front.
“A lot of things have changed since I was part of the team, and for the good. The intensity is through the roof,” she said.
And with a T20 World Cup eight months away, the squad for the shortest format of the game is at full strength with 2025 World Cup finalists Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus all featuring.
Faye Tunnicliffe and Van Niekerk are the only two changes from the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Laura Wolvaardt’s, the stalwart captain who has steered South Africa to three consecutive ICC finals, including this year’s effort, will retain captaincy duties in both formats as South Africa look to continue building their legacy and usher in the next generation.
There are six new faces in the one-day squad, with allrounder Leah Jones in line for her debut, while batters Lara Goodall and Faye Tunnicliffe all got the nod.
Seamer Ayanda Hlubi and allrounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Miane Smit make up the rest.
In T20s, South Africa have lost to Ireland just twice in their 13 meetings, so are expected to win at a canter.
In the one-day format, the numbers are equally stark, with just one defeat across 20 meetings (one loss and a no result in the other fixtures).
And they are World Cup finalists now, and they have sent themselves the highest of standards.
If 1 536 days can transform South Africa from hopeful outsiders to serial finalists, the next 1 536 may just deliver the ultimate breakthrough.
Against Ireland, the Proteas will expect to dominate, but the real story lies in how they continue to build a legacy - blending veterans with apprentices, comeback queens with debutants - all chasing the moment when South African cricket finally lifts a World Cup.
South Africa’s squad for T20Is: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.
South Africa’s squad for ODIs: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Leah Jones, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.
FIXTURES
T20I Series v Ireland
1st T20I: December 5, 2025 – Newlands, Cape Town (14:00 SAST)
2nd T20I: December 7, 2025 – Paarl (14:00 SAST)
3rd T20I: December 10, 2025 – Benoni (18:00 SAST)
ODI Series v Ireland
1st ODI: December 13, 2025 – East London (10:00 SAST)
2nd ODI: December 16, 2025 – Gqeberha (10:00 SAST)
3rd ODI: December 19, 2025 – Johannesburg (10:00 SAST)