In the midst of the festival of cricket taking place around the country this summer, the South Africa Under-19 Women are preparing to host their Zimbabwean counterparts, along with a Cricket South Africa Youth XI squad, in a Youth T20 Tri-Series in Durban from 9 – 18 January.
Included in the SA Under-19 Women’s team is promising Eastern Storm legspinner Ashleigh van Wyk. The 17-year-old is in the middle of her second cycle with the group, having been part of the South African side that reached their maiden ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final last year.
As one of the senior players returning to the Under-19 side in preparation for the 2027 World Cup, Van Wyk, who was born and raised in Alberton near Johannesburg, has enjoyed a fruitful start to her young career. She famously delivered a Player of the Match performance in the World Cup semifinal against Australia, taking four wickets for 17 in South Africa’s victory.
Looking back at when the cricket bug first bit, Van Wyk credits her sports-mad family, including the hours spent on the side of the field watching her brother play the sport that ultimately became her passion.
“I started when I was eight years old. I always played hockey next to the field where my brother was playing cricket. I just decided that cricket looked more fun, so then I started playing in the yard. Whenever I heard the sound of a cricket ball, I was there wanting to play, and the love for the game started and hasn’t stopped growing since.
“My whole family are into sports, and the TV is always on a sporting channel. My mum and dad are always the drivers to the games and practices for my brother and I, but also coach Adele (van Eck), who coached me at Easterns and got me into the setup from a young age,” Van Wyk commented.
Having attended President Steyn Primary School before moving on to Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, the right-arm spinner represented Alberton Cricket Club and Bedfordview Cricket Club before being brought into the Eastern Storm structures. She has gone on to don her province’s red rose from under-13 level through to the senior women’s side.
After standing out as a special talent, Van Wyk quickly progressed to the SA Under-19 Women’s team in 2024, walking out for the youth side on 10 occasions, including six matches during South Africa’s historic campaign in Malaysia.
“The Under-19 setup is a space where we can do everything, but in the right time. We laugh, we cry, we think together, and we work exceptionally hard. We have only one main goal, and it’s to make South Africa proud by bringing home that trophy in 2027.
“To play at the Under-19 level is a privilege, and it’s a space where you gain experience and grow with every game you play. You truly come out of the space a different player and person,” Van Wyk added.
When asked to describe her style of cricket for those yet to see her in action, Van Wyk said, “I believe I’m fearless. The way I look back on the photos of the semifinal against Australia, I’m scared of myself. I am very competitive on the field and do take my skill very seriously.”
Looking ahead to the T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and the CSA Youth XI squad, the Eastern Storm vice-captain highlighted her excitement about reuniting as a group and welcoming fresh faces into the squad.
“It’s going to be the first time that I play with some of the girls, so I do look forward to getting to know them as people and playing beside them. I am also excited to face new challenges daily and to grow from them.”
The Youth T20 Tri-Series will get underway on Friday, 9 January, at Chatsworth Oval in Durban, with the SA Under-19 Women taking on Zimbabwe Under-19 Women. The first ball is scheduled for 1pm, with all the action streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube page.
SA Under-19 Women Squad
Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions), Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province), Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal)
SA Under-19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe Under-19 Women and CSA Youth XI
Friday, 9 January - 1st Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Saturday, 10 January - 2nd Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Monday, 12 January - 3rd Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Tuesday, 13 January - 4th Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Thursday, 15 January - 5th Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Friday, 16 January - 6th Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Sunday, 18 January - Youth T20 Tri-Series Final at 1pm - TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)