Marizanne Kapp rested as precaution after taking ill in Proteas Women loss to Pakistan
17th February 2026
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Proteas Women batting coach Baakier Abrahams has revealed that Marizanne Kapp was ruled out of the rest of the T20I against Pakistan as a precaution, after falling ill at Willowmoore Park.
The experienced all-rounder left the field and was initially set to bat lower down the order should the need arise, but it was later announced that she would not come back at all. Abrahams says the decision was made in the player’s best interests with the series already secured and the match seemingly beyond their reach.
"Kaapie was ready to play, but I think from a medical point of view we felt that player wellbeing was the top priority, especially with a big ODI series coming up," said Abrahams.
In her absence South Africa capitulated to 91 all out while chasing 144 in Benoni. Kapp had to watch her teammates go down like dominoes with Annerie Dercksen’s 30 the top score for the team. Abrahams admitted that the 36-year-old was heavily missed in the batting order.
"That type of player and experience sort of solidifies that middle period for us, so losing her did create an opportunity for someone else to step up in a different position. But Kappie is world-class – it's a difficult hole to fill."
Before the disappointing performance with the bat, there was one of the worst fielding displays in the team’s history with at least four dropped catches and misfields costing them potential run-outs. Abrahams says all three departments didn’t come to the party on the day.
There’s exactly 10 matches left for the Proteas Women before the T20 World Cup in England this June, and Abrahams highlighted the importance of a winning culture within the team in the coming four months. He says the Pakistan series helped tick some of the boxes for them in the first two matches.
