The 29-year-old allrounder has failed to meet fitness standards, according to Cricket South Africa, and misses out on the India and West Indies series, which will guide selection for the home tournament
Dane van Niekerk faces potentially missing the women's T20 World Cup after being omitted for South Africa's tournament tune-up matches after failing to meet fitness standards.
She has played little cricket since breaking her ankle last January, missing the 50-over World Cup, the England tour and the Commonwealth Games and hasn't represented her country since September 2021.
In a statement confirming the squads for the India and West Indies T20I tri-series, which will act as preparation for the home World Cup, Cricket South Africa confirmed the 29-year-old "missed out on eligibility for selection following an unsuccessful bid to meet the national benchmark standards in the physical battery assessment".
Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez added: "Dane has progressed very well and it's a step in the right direction.
Van Niekerk is closing in on 200 international appearances (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
"Unfortunately, she did not meet the minimum national standards and therefore is ineligible for selection and we will continue.
"Working on her fitness as we continue through the tri-series, to assess her eligibility for the World Cup."
Van Niekerk, a legspinning allrounder who has captained Proteas women on 80 occasions, played three matches in the women's Hundred but had a bit-part role as Oval Invincibles successfully defended their title.
Her last outing came in August for a South Africa Emerging side against Zimbabwe and did not play in the Women's Big Bash League. Hilton Moreeng's side begins their campaign against Sri Lanka on February 10, leaving her just weeks to prove her fitness.
View this post on Instagram
The announcement follows a series of cryptic social media posts in recent days via Van Niekerk's Instagram account.
Over the weekend she posted two images of her in training with the caption: "#10kgsandcounting."
Prior to the news breaking she posted a message including a passage from The Bible: "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the call."
She added: "For as long as you're called in any path, you'll always find your way. You'll always be ok. You are a force. Remember that."
Lizelle Lee retired from South Africa duty last July (Peter Meecham/Getty Images)
Last July, Lizelle Lee retired from international cricket after she failed to meet CSA's fitness requirements.
The opening batter was threatened with having No Objection Certificates to play in overseas competitions withheld if she did not meet minimum standards, leading to her calling time on her South Africa career.
Sune Luus will captain South Africa in the tri-series against India and West Indies, starting on January 19.
Uncapped pair Annerie Dercksen and Tebogo Macheke are included while Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail and Laura Wolvaardt are involved.
Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.