SA u19 Women’s Class of 2027: Meet Leg-spinner Ashleigh van Wyk
Included in the SA u19 Women’s team is promising Eastern Storm leg-spinner Ashleigh van Wyk. The 17-year-old is in the middle of her second cycle with the group, having been part of the South African side that reached the ICC Uu9 Women’s T20 World Cup final for the first time last year.
One of the senior players returning to the u19 side in preparation for the 2027 World Cup, Van Wyk, who was born and raised in Alberton near Johannesburg, has enjoyed a fruitful start to her young career. She famously delivered a Player of the Match performance in the World Cup semi-final against Australia, snaring 4/17 in South Africa’s victory.
Reflecting on when the cricket bug first bit, Van Wyk credited her sports-mad family, and also many hours spent on the side of the field watching her brother play the sport that ultimately became her passion.
“I started when I was eight years old,” she recalled. “I always played hockey next to the field where my brother was playing cricket. I just decided that cricket looked more fun, so then I started playing in the yard.
“Whenever I heard the sound of a cricket ball, I was there, wanting to play, and the love for the game started and hasn’t stopped growing since.
“My whole family is into sports, and the TV is always on a sporting channel. My mum and dad are always the drivers to the games and practices for my brother and I, but also coach Adele (van Eck), who coached me at Easterns and got me into the setup from a young age,” Van Wyk explained.
After attending President Steyn Primary School, she moved on to Hoërskool Marais Viljoen. She represented the Alberton Cricket Club and Bedfordview Cricket Club before being brought into the Eastern Storm’s structures. She has since gone on to don her province’s red rose from u13 level through to the senior women’s side.
Her special talent was evident early one, leading to Van Wyk quickly progressing through the ranks to the SA u19 Women’s team in 2024, when she made 10 appearances for the national team, including in six World Cup matches during South Africa’s historic campaign in Malaysia.
“The u19 setup is a space where we can do everything, but in the right time. We laugh, we cry, we think together, and we work exceptionally hard. We have only one main goal, and it’s to make South Africa proud by bringing home that trophy in 2027,” Van Wyk said.
“To play at the u19 level is a privilege, and it’s a space where you gain experience and grow with every game you play. You truly come out of the space a different player and person,” she added.
When asked to describe her style of cricket for those yet to see her in action, Van Wyk said: “I believe I’m fearless. The way I look back on the photos of the semi-final against Australia, I’m scared of myself. I am very competitive on the field and do take my skill very seriously”
Looking ahead to the T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe and the CSA Youth XI squad, the Eastern Storm vice-captain highlighted her excitement about reuniting as a group and welcoming fresh faces into the squad.
“It’s going to be the first time that I play with some of the girls, so I do look forward to getting to know them as people and playing beside them. I am also excited to face new challenges daily and to grow from them,” she enthused.
The Youth T20 Tri-Series get underway on Friday, 9 January, at the Chatsworth Oval, in Durban, with the SA u19 Women taking on Zimbabwe u19 Women. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 13:00 and the action will be streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube page.
SA u19 Women Squad
Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions), Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province), Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal)
SA u19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe U19 Women and CSA Youth XI
(All matches start at 13:00)
Friday, 9 Jan – 1st Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Saturday, 10 Jan – 2nd Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Monday, 12 Jan – 3rd Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Tuesday, 13 Jan – 4th Youth T20 – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Thursday, 15 Jan – 5th Youth T20 – SA u19 Women vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Friday, 16 Jan – 6th Youth T20 – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe u19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Sunday, 18 Jan- Youth T20 Tri-Series Final – TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
