Teenager Karabo Meso included in Proteas Women's squad for World Cup

It will be 17-year-old Meso's - who has two ODI caps - maiden senior global tournament after competing in two U19 Women's T20 World Cups in 2023 and 2025 and will vie for the wicketkeeper role with Sinalo Jafta.

The 15-player squad will be captained by Laura Wolvaardt, and includes the experienced quartet of Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka and Sune Luus.

In the bowling ranks, left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba leads the spin attack while Masabata Klaas and Tumi Sekhukhune offer varying seam options.

Young all-rounder Miane Smit has been named as the travelling reserve, a role she performed during last year's Women's T20 World Cup.

Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said: "What a journey it has been. From the moment I joined this team, and even before my time when the squad went through the qualification phase, it was all about working towards this moment.

"We can look back at the amount of preparation we have put in and know that we have done our best. We are ready to send a squad to the World Cup that will make South Africa proud.

"I am happy for all the players and management who will be getting on that plane to India, but I am even more excited to see what they can achieve together as a group. We believe we have the squad of players that can go out there and deliver on the world stage.

"Now it is all about carrying that belief with us every step of the way, along with the support of the entire nation."

The Proteas Women will get their World Cup campaign underway against England on 3 October, followed by encounters against New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan before concluding the league phase with a contest against Australia on 25 October.

Proteas Women World Cup squad: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon

Travelling reserve: Miane Smit

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