Dané van Niekerk lauds Proteas Women’s record ODI total in Gqeberha

A couple of centuries from captain Laura Wolvaardt and Suné Luus led the way, while van Niekerk also contributed 88 as they surpassed their previous record of 337 back in 2017 – also against Ireland – to win by 74 runs. 

She was also delighted that they’ve managed to secure the series with a match to spare.

"Yeah, look it's always nice to claim a series with a game to go. I think batting was fantastic, we speak about pushing that 400 mark all the time and I think 375 on a wicket like that, a bit slower, it's not the Highveld," van Niekerk said.

"So, obviously very proud of our skipper, she's been leading the way with runs and Suné has been in incredible form as well."

Although van Niekerk was not too happy with how she got dismissed, she felt that her experience at the international stage came to the fore in the game. 

The former skipper says she also knows exactly what her role in the team is.

"I always try and look at my options, was my options right? And then maybe the execution not but I was really happy with the way I tried to read what the bowlers were gonna do and kind of react to that,” she explained. 

“I know my job here, it's quite clear with Mandla [Mashimbyi] and I played the game for a long time, so just kind of back that. I guess, the time I spend out there in my entire career."

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Some of van Niekerk’s family members were in attendance, as her wife Marizanne Kapp hails from the area. 

She also called on the fans in Johannesburg to come in numbers for the final ODI at the Wanderers on Friday.

"PE always brings a vibe and with a band and everything, it was quite nice, a pretty good crowd out, seeing that it's the holidays and all of those things. Blessed to have the family here and some friends as well and it's just nice to see the turn out. “We've seen it throughout the whole series, the T20s and the One-Days and yeah, last one Wanderers, rock up and come enjoy some good cricket from the Proteas."