Van Niekerk eyes redemption on return for SA after two years

South Africa's veteran all-rounder, Dane van Niekerk, is all set to make a long-awaited return to international cricket, two years after her last appearance for the Proteas, and feels that the forthcoming series against Ireland will provide her with an opportunity to understand where she stands.

- 

The 32-year-old, who initially retired from the international game in 2023 before reversing that decision earlier this year, will rejoin the national setup for a three-match T20I series against Ireland.

With more than 190 international caps across ODIs and T20ls, van Niekerk says a deeply personal ambition drives her comeback.

"That's the main goal - just proving to myself that I can really tick those boxes that I want to tick.

"I know if I tick those boxes, I will contribute to the team, hopefully in winning situations. That's what it's all about for me,” van Niekerk said at a pre-tour camp here.

The former South Africa captain admitted that returning to the fold feels surreal after believing her international days were over.