Van Niekerk’s calf injury forces withdrawal from New Zealand tour

South Africa all‑rounder Dane van Niekerk has been ruled out of the remainder of the New Zealand tour after sustaining a right calf injury. She reported discomfort ahead of the opening Women’s T20I and was left out of the match, with Cricket South Africa later confirming she will miss the full T20I series and the three ODIs that follow. Anneke Bosch has been drafted in as her replacement. 

Van Niekerk had only recently returned to T20Is after a four‑year absence, featuring against Ireland and Pakistan, and was expected to rejoin the ODI setup in New Zealand after missing the Pakistan leg. Bosch, meanwhile, could make her first T20I appearance since November 2024 and was part of the squad that reached the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup final. 

South Africa meet New Zealand again on March 17 for the second T20I, with three more matches scheduled before the ODI series begins.