Macheke earns maiden call-up for T20I series against India

Tebogo Macheke has earned her maiden international call-up as South Africa Women named a largely unchanged 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series against India at home, scheduled from April 17 to 27. The Titans wicketkeeper-batter replaces the injured Karabo Meso, while bowling all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx returns to the side in place of seamer Masabata Klaas, marking the only two changes to the group that toured New Zealand.

Laura Wolvaardt will continue to lead the team in the series which serves as a prep ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England. Anneke Bosch retains her place after stepping in for Dane van Niekerk during the New Zealand tour due to a calf injury, while experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp remains unavailable as she continues her rehabilitation from illness.

Alongside the squad announcement, Cricket South Africa also confirmed a transition within the Proteas Women's coaching staff. Batting coach Baakier Abrahams, fielding coach Bongani Ndaba and Strength and Conditioning coach Zane Webster will depart at the end of the 2025-26 season following the conclusion of their contracts. They will be replaced on an interim basis by strength and conditioning coach Tumi Masekela, Andrew Puttick as batting coach, and Mduduzi Mbhatha as fielding coach.

South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Tebogo Macheke, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune and Chloe Tryon.

The matches against India come close on the heels of South Africa's 1-4 defeat in the T20Is against New Zealand and a 1-2 loss in the ODIs. Speaking about the squad and the series, head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said: "It is a quick turnaround, for sure, but a T20I series against India at home will always be special. The group remains largely the same for this tour. While we have learnt a lot about ourselves as a team on the recent trip to New Zealand, we are also very excited to get back on the field and express our eagerness to grow and improve with every game and training session.

"We are excited to welcome Eliz-Mari and Tebogo to the group, and we are looking forward to seeing how they contribute to the team as we continue the journey towards the T20 World Cup. As a team, we are always looking to evolve, and the introduction of new voices brings fresh perspective and renewed energy to the group. We are grateful to Baakier, Bongani and Zane for the strong foundation they have helped build, and this next phase gives us an opportunity to challenge ourselves further as we continue our preparations towards the World Cup," added Mashimbyi.

Clinton du Preez, the convener of selectors, spoke about the importance of maintaining a settled core while explaining the rationale behind the changes.

"With the T20 World Cup around the corner, the team enters a crucial phase in their preparations for the global tournament. Maintaining a core group of players at this stage is essential, allowing Coach Mandla and the team the opportunity to further enhance cohesion across disciplines, test combinations and continue to develop a strategy for a successful World Cup.

"The inclusion of Eliz-Mari Marx is an adjustment to the balance of the squad in line with our needs, aimed at providing different solutions to what the opposition may pose. Tebogo Macheke has shown consistency and ability at domestic and Emerging level over the years and has earned this opportunity to stake her claim in the national setup," said du Preez.

Meanwhile, CSA Director of National Teams and High Performance Enoch Nkwe acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing staff and welcomed the incoming members. "We thank Baakier, Bongani and Zane for their valuable contributions to the national setup, which have played an important role in the team's recent success. We are equally pleased to welcome Tumi, Andrew and Mduduzi, as we continue to strengthen the environment with fresh thinking in pursuit of sustained success."

The five-match series will begin with back-to-back fixtures in Durban on April 17 and 19. The action then shifts to Johannesburg for the third and fourth T20Is on April 22 and 25, before concluding on April 27 in Benoni.