Enoch Nkwe Confirms Plans for a Professional Women’s Cricket League in South Africa

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is gearing up to take women’s cricket to the next level. Director of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, has confirmed that the federation is working on establishing a professional women’s league, following the Proteas Women’s historic run at the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in India.

CSA’s Commitment To Women’s Cricket

Speaking to SABC Sport, Nkwe praised the Proteas Women for their silver-medal finish, their third major final in a row, saying the team’s continued success reflects how far women’s cricket has come in South Africa.

“We keep having those discussions. We will be sitting around the table again to say how do we make it better, where do we find more investments,” said Nkwe.

He explained that CSA is currently prioritising domestic development and building a sustainable pipeline that can feed into the international team. The long-term goal, he added, is to introduce a fully-fledged professional league that mirrors global trends and strengthens the women’s game locally.

Collaboration With SA20 And Investment Push

Nkwe also revealed that CSA is engaging with the SA20 league to explore ways to bridge the gap between men’s and women’s domestic cricket.

“As it stands, the ladies are flying the flag high and we need to keep up with the global trends. We are trying to work with SA20 so we can bridge the gap,” Nkwe explained. “The women’s league is something we are working on, and we’ll continue reaching out for partners who can help make it happen.”

Equal Pay And Recognition

Over recent years, CSA has made notable strides in levelling the playing field. Nkwe highlighted that women cricketers now receive equal match fees, travel business class, and have access to improved facilities and support structures.

“We’ve been intentional about this from moving amateur cricket to semi-professional and making sure that the ladies get the same benefits as men,” he said.

These moves have earned CSA praise from fans on social media, who commended the organisation for championing equality and supporting the next generation of female cricketers.

Praise For Coach Mandla Mashimbyi

Nkwe also lauded Proteas Women’s head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, who led the team to its first-ever ODI World Cup final less than a year after taking charge.

“It’s heartbreaking that we didn’t win, but the team showed a different level of maturity under coach Mandla. He managed to instil belief in this group of players,” Nkwe added.

The Road Ahead

The call for a professional women’s league comes at a pivotal time for South African cricket. With growing fan interest, rising TV viewership, and continued international success, CSA’s next big step could cement South Africa as a global powerhouse in women’s cricket.

If the plans come to life, a professional league could offer new opportunities for young talent and inspire the next generation of Proteas stars proof that women’s cricket in South Africa isn’t just growing; it’s thriving.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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