Laura Wolvaardt backs young Kayla Reyneke to shine in Proteas Women's T20I debut

Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt is looking forward to seeing how youngster Kayla Reyneke fares during the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. 

Reyneke is a former SA U19 Women’s captain and has long been touted to take the step up to the national team. The Western Province allrounder has now received her maiden call-up to the Proteas Women’s team and Wolvaardt expects big things from the 20-year-old, starting in the series opener in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

“I think we have some very exciting youngsters coming through. Kayla's a very hard worker and a very exciting talent,” Wolvaardt said.

“I think obviously she's had a bit of experience at under-19 level, playing really well over there, leading her side as well. I think confidence is always a good thing. Yeah, and she works hard. 

“I train a lot in Cape Town and whenever I'm there at the nets, she's there as well. So she's a hard worker, always doing extra sessions.

“I think she's slotted in really nicely from what I've heard into the setup so far. And yeah, I think hopefully that confidence will only do her good, you know, backing herself out on the field. I think the role that she plays as well, she's a strong girl, can hit a long ball, so I think you've got to back yourself to sort of clear the ropes with that kind of role. So yeah, I think it'll be good.”

Wolvaardt has only just slotted into camp after being part of the Delhi Capitals side that finished runners-up to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL. The Proteas skipper continued her love affair with Indian pitches, finishing as the Capitals’ second highest run-scorer with 317 runs at an average of 45.28 and strike-rate of 135.47.

She feels this was good preparation for the international season ahead, which culminates with the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup in England later this year. 

“I obviously just got in yesterday, but I think it's just great that we've been able to get some game time heading into a big tournament,” Wolvaardt said.

Pakistan and the Proteas have become familiar foes with white-ball series between the nations becoming a regular fixture on the calendar since Covid-19. 

They will also face each other again at the T20 World Cup in the UK later this year.

"It's a team we know pretty well,” Wolvaardt said. “I think we've played a lot of cricket against them lately, played a series over there a couple of months ago. So it's exciting to host them this time, play a bit in our conditions. I think we've been over there quite a lot. I think three years in a row, if I'm not mistaken. 

“So, to play them in South Africa, I think will be nice and fun and something a bit different. But yeah, like I said, it's a side we know very well, kind of know what to expect from them.

"It helps us a bit in our preparation, and hopefully we can play a nice positive brand of cricket against them.” 

Proteas Women’s T20I Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, *Kayla Reyneke, Chloé Tryon and Dané van Niekerk.

*uncapped

Start: 6pm