South Africa domestic season kicks off with the provincial one-day tournament

All teams, including players and staff, underwent PCR tests 48-hours before their departure for the venue and a rapid test upon their arrival. Everyone has returned a negative result.

"The competition will culminate with playoffs in the new year, where these sides along with the rest of the provincial teams will also compete in the T20 provincial tournament before wrapping up the season with the exciting Women’s Super League in April 2022," a release from CSA stated.

Several of South Africa's top players will be involved in the tournament, including the likes of Sune Luus, who was forced out of The Hundred having tested positive for Covid-19, Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayabonga Khaka. The tournament will provide young players in South Africa the opportunity to rub shoulders with these champions while also having the platform to put in strong performances to impress the selectors ahead of what is going to be a massive 18 months in the women's game.

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“Our focus and objective with this tournament and the Top 6 BSE is to provide access for the women’s players to quality matches, to enhance their performances and make sure that we maintain the quality and competitive cricket at the provincial level,” said Johan Weyers, CSA Senior Cricket Manager.

“This six-day women’s cricket showcase will also make sure we grow the pool of players that would be available for selection in the high-performance programmes, with the various selectors and coaches also in attendance to identify the talent on display."

While Luus will play an important role in Northerns' campaign, both Khaka and Sekhukhune will represent Central Gaunteng. Pacer Masabata Klaas and batter Tazmin Brits are part of the Senwes Dragons unit, while Western Province and Kwa-Zulu Natal will have the services of three internationals each. The spin duo of Nondumiso Shangase and Nokululeko Mlaba will be joined by basher Chloe Tryon at Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Western Province's batting will be bolstered by the inclusions of Andrie Steyn, Lara Goodall and Sinalo Jafta.

Clinton du Preez, South Africa's convener of selectors said he was excited by the talent on show and can't wait to see the players back on the field after what was an extended off-season.

“We are very delighted and excited to have cricket back," he said. “It’s good to have the players back and it’s important for the players to come out and represent well. It’s been a while since they’ve played competitive cricket.

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“As a selection panel, we are very excited. We are looking forward to quality cricket. The brand we are looking to play has to compliment what the national team requires and there’s a lot of opportunity for all players at the moment, to really come to the fore and stake claim for positions this week.”

“Looking at the makeup of the teams, we have a good crop of players, a mixture of young and experienced players, they are really going to add value to a national week like this. I also do believe that the national players that are still in the country and participating, they need to come and show their potential and dominate within these games. We trust that the results are going to showcase the individual talents that will allow the players to stake a claim for those strategic positions within the national team,” he concluded.

Teams:

Easterns: Verunissa Reddy, Bernadette Greeff, Madison Landsman, Lerato Langa, Tsholofelo Marema, Payton Coppin, Mpumelelo Mashiloane, Kayleigh Craig, Alysia Rudolph, Jennifer Hall, Thembi Mokgohloa, Sabelo Jiyane, Jenna Searle, Emma Venter

Imperial Central Gauteng Lions: Sharne Mayers, Keneuoe Makhakhe, Tumi Sekhkhune, Lehlohonolo Sardick, Yolani Fourie, Karabo Meso, Kgomotso Rapoo, Jameelah Shaikjee, Ayabonga Khaka, Palesa Mapoo, Samantha Schutte, Kirstie Thomson, Paballo Tshidi, Nonkululeko Thabethe

Senwes Dragons: Tazmin Brits, Masabata Klaas, Evodia Yekile, Elandri Janse van Rensburg, Alyssa Erxleben, Humaira Ebrahim, Wilmi Mostert, Izei Cilliers, Zintle Mali, Katlego Setlhodi, Anica Swart, Sune Wittmann, Nthabiseng Nini, Tshegofatso Monyela

KZN Coastal: Dheyanka Naidoo, Nadine Avril Moodley, Nondumiso Shangase, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chloe Tryon, Courtney Leigh Gounden, Kiara Fisher, Ayanda Hlubi, Luyanda Nzuza, Nonhle Busane, Jade De Figueiredo, Seshnie Naidu, Sabathile Madlala, Nosihle Ngubane

Northerns: Robin Searle, Josephine Maswangane, Kay-Leigh Tapp, Kgalalelo Matsepe, Ricca Coetzer, Nicolien Janse van Rensburg, Paulina Mashishi, Sune Luus, Amogelang Maphangula, Eliz-Mari Marx, Monalisa Legodi, Gandhi Jafta, Katherine Prior, Khanyisile Skhosana

Western Province: Alexis me Breton, Andrie Steyn, Stacey Lackay, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Delmari Tucker, Yandiswa Mangele, Robyn Appels, Faye Tunnicliffe, Tatum le Roux, Saarah Smith Christine Tomlinson Leah Jones, Nosipho Vezi