Verwoerdpark cricket star competes in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

At just 16 years old, Ashleigh van Wyk has already carved out a name for herself in South African cricket, proving that hard work, dedication, and passion can take a young athlete to the global stage.

From competing against 54 other players for a spot in the national squad to playing a key role in South Africa’s historic run in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Van Wyk’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

From backyard cricket to the national stage

Hailing from Verwoerdpark and a learner at Marais Viljoen High School, Van Wyk’s love for cricket began at an early age.

Playing in the backyard with her brother, Sheldon, sparked her passion for the game, which led her to join the Alberton Cricket Club.

At just nine years old, she started playing competitive cricket, making her way into the Easterns U13 regional team and even captaining the first-team boys’ side at Laerskool President Steyn.

Despite the challenges of playing in male-dominated teams, Ashleigh thrived.

“Playing with boys was difficult at first, but they accepted me, and it helped me improve my game,” she said.

Her early exposure to high-level cricket built a strong foundation, leading her to join the Bedfordview Cricket Club and later, the Easterns Women’s Senior Team at just 14.

Breaking barriers in women’s cricket

In 2022, at just 14 years old, Van Wyk joined the Easterns women’s senior team for the 2021/22 season while also playing for her school’s U14 boys’ team and being part of the Easterns U16 national team.

Her performances didn’t go unnoticed.

In 2023, she was awarded bowler of the season for the Easterns women’s senior team (2022/23 season) and player of the season for her school’s first-team girls’ squad.

She also played for the U15A boys’ school team and Avion Club’s women’s team.

During the same year, she captained the Easterns U16 national team and was named player of the season for her performances.

A world cup to remember

Van Wyk’s selection for the South African U19 Women’s World Cup squad didn’t come easy.

Over 18 months, she attended selection camps every two months, competing against top young talents before finally earning her place in December 2024.

The tournament, held in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2, 2025, was a defining moment in her career.

South Africa had a strong campaign, winning their first three matches to qualify for the Super Six stage, where they triumphed over Ireland while their game against the USA was abandoned.

In the semi-final against Australia, Van Wyk delivered a match-winning performance, taking four wickets for 17 runs in just three overs.

Backed by a quick-fire 24-ball 37 from her teammate Jemma Botha, South Africa stunned Australia by five wickets to reach their first-ever U19 Women’s T20 World Cup final.

Van Wyk’s heroics earned her the player of the match award, cementing her status as a rising star.

Although South Africa fell short in the final against India, the team’s historic run was a moment of pride for the nation.

“There were a lot of emotions on the first day of the World Cup, but we were so excited to start playing,” Van Wyk recalled.

A growing list of achievements

Van Wyk’s journey has been filled with remarkable milestones.

In addition to her World Cup success, she played in a five-match Youth T20I series against Ireland in 2024, participated in warm-up matches against India A and B, and captained her school’s first-team girls’ squad, finishing second in both the league and the SA20 Schools girls team for Ekurhuleni.

Her performances have been just as impressive.

As a right-arm leg spinner and a bowling all-rounder, she boasts a highest score of 148 and best bowling figures of six wickets for just two runs in four overs.

Her participation in various leagues-such as the Wanderers T10, Jozi Cup, JHB Winter League, and LPL-has further honed her skills.

She has played for both women’s and boys’ teams, an experience that has shaped her into a versatile and fearless cricketer.

A well-rounded athlete and scholar

Van Wyk’s talent isn’t limited to cricket. She has excelled in multiple sports, including netball, cross country, and athletics.

Her U15 netball team finished first in Gauteng and second in South Africa, while she also represented Gauteng in cross-country championships.

Her talent in sports earned her major school awards: junior sportswoman of the year (2022) and senior sportswoman of the year (2024).

Beyond sports, she has maintained an impressive academic record, consistently achieving an average above 80% for two years, currently standing at 84% in Grade 10.

She was previously the deputy head girl at Laerskool President Steyn and has earned a prestigious white blazer for representing her school at the national level in sports.

A family’s sacrifice and support

Behind Van Wyk’s success is the unwavering support of her family and her coaches.

“It’s a lot of sacrifices and driving, but she makes it all worth it. It’s such an honour seeing her name out there – she’s not just representing herself but the whole family,” said her mother, Laura van Wyk.

Her parents, despite not being able to travel to Malaysia, made sure to support her every step of the way.

“We couldn’t afford to go to Malaysia, but every morning at 04:00 we were up watching her play on TV,” shared his father, Ettiene van Wyk.

Van Wyk thanks her coaches for their support in her career journey.

Her coaches are Dinesha Devnarin (SA U19 head coach), local coach, Malcolm van Schalkwyk from Serious Cricket and provincial coach, Adele van Eck.

A future Protea in the making

Ashleigh’s ultimate dream is to don the green and gold for the Proteas Women’s team, and with her relentless drive and achievements at such a young age, she is well on her way.

“I’ve always dreamed big. The smallest steps started with playing with the boys from primary to high school,” she said.

With her talent, determination, and the right support system, the future looks incredibly bright for this young star.