The allrounder was omitted for the home tournament later this month after failing to pass a fitness test but the players' association are calling for reform
Dane van Niekerk's absence from South Africa's T20 World Cup squad having failed to pass a minimum standards fitness test should trigger a rethink around the policy.
That is the view of the South Africa Cricketers' Association, who are concerned a trend is developing following the omission and subsequent retirement of Lizelle Lee after she was left out of the 50-over World Cup group.
Lee failed to meet weight requirements and took the decision to end her South Africa career last year amid concerns her No-Objection Certificates, permitting her to play in overseas leagues, would be withheld.
The decision to leave out Van Niekerk followed the 29-year-old's failure to complete a 2km time trial within the cut-off time of nine minutes and 30 seconds, ruling her out of selection for the tournament.
Last year she played just three games of senior cricket after breaking her ankle in January but with nearly 200 international appearances across all three formats is undoubtedly a talismanic figure in the sport.
The absentee list for South Africa is an illustrious one (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
"Clearly there is a problem," SACA chief executive Andrew Breetzke told BBC Sport.
"The women's team has lost two marquee players in a few months. Does the system need redress? It has to be a priority if these are the outcomes.
"It's gravely disappointing that Dane will not be involved. But we respect that CSA has the prerogative to put in place fitness standards."
Cricket South Africa recently tighten fitness expectations in an effort to ensure the team could keep up with their rivals in an increasingly relentless calendar. The 2km cut-off time was recently reduced by 30 seconds from 10 minutes.
Saca and the players have agreed to the zero-tolerance policy regarding fitness standards, leaving CSA with little wiggle room, even if the decision leaves Sune Luus' side heading into another global tournament without a key player.
Sune Luus will captain South Africa at the World Cup (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
"What message would that send to the other players who all met the minimum standard?" CSA chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra added regarding exemptions to the rules.
"We're trying to create a particular culture within our teams. The minimum standard is really a distillation of an attitude.
"For years and years, we've battled and struggled to give women's cricket in the country professional status. Let's adopt a professional standard.
"The game is changing. There are more competitions - and we encourage all our players to play around the world - and what teams want are explosive players who can bat, bowl and field. If we require a generational change to bring in this new player then so be it.
"Overall, the decision we made was the right one."
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