Devnarain Targets ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup Title
South Africa aims to build on recent momentum to secure the championship trophy in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Soccer
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Coach Dinesha Devnarain has declared that the South African under-19 women's cricket team is competing to win the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup. The squad enters the tournament following a successful series victory against Pakistan in July 2026.
Why it matters
Devnarain aims to cultivate a new generation of match-winning Proteas while strengthening the future of women's cricket in South Africa. The team looks to build on their performance as runners-up in the 2025 edition of the tournament.
South Africa enters the upcoming international tournament after clinching a 3-2 series win against Pakistan in July 2026. This competition marks the third edition of the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup.
The players
Dinesha Devnarain
She is the coach of the South Africa under-19 women's cricket team tasked with developing future talent.
The details
The team refined its preparation by holding a national training camp in KwaZulu-Natal in September 2026 following a series of matches played in Karachi. South Africa has been drawn into Group B where they will compete against New Zealand, Samoa, and Pakistan.
Timeline
July 2026: South Africa beat Pakistan 3-2 in a T20I series.
September 2026: National training camp held in KwaZulu-Natal.
January 21 to February 6, 2027: ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup.
January 22, 2027: South Africa opens campaign against Pakistan.
February 6, 2027: Tournament final scheduled in Chattogram.
Season Trajectory
The team aims to improve upon their second-place finish in the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup. Achieving a title win would represent a significant step forward for the development of South Africa's national women's cricket pipeline.
South Africa must navigate a group stage that includes matches against New Zealand, Samoa, and Pakistan to secure a spot in the later rounds. The tournament's knockout phase culminates with the final match on February 6, 2027, in Chattogram.
The takeaway
The team's focus remains on long-term development while aggressively pursuing tournament glory. Success in this competition would cement the current squad as the core foundation for the future of the senior Proteas women's team.
What happens next
The South Africa U-19 team plays Samoa on January 24, 2027, followed by a match against New Zealand on January 26, 2027, before the semi-finals on February 4, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming international matches, visit the Soccer section.
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