Mankwana Moriri first fell in love with cricket watching players like KG Rabada. Inspired by the men’s game, she began following her friends to the field, unaware that those early moments would one day lead her to the international stage.
At just 15, Moriri has been selected for South Africa’s Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup squad, set to compete in Bangladesh next year. She is one of the youngest players to earn national colours, marking a major milestone in a rapidly rising career.
Her entry into the sport was informal and unplanned. “My first friends used to play cricket, so I used to go with them,” Moriri says. “Then I realised that I’m passionate about the sport and I love being there.” What started as curiosity soon became commitment, shaped by consistent training and a growing belief that cricket could become a professional path.
Still, the speed of her progress has taken her by surprise. “I wished to go pro, but I didn’t think that I would start experiencing it at such a young age,” she says. “My coach always says, hard work pays.” That work has now been rewarded with a national call-up that could redefine her future.
We caught up with Moriri at a training session in Houghton, Johannesburg, where preparations are underway for what she describes as a life-changing opportunity. “Playing for South Africa would actually mean a lot for me,” she says. “Because I’ll be able to change my home situation, move my mother from the township, and help other kids from my academy who are looking up to me as their senior player.”
For Moriri, this moment extends beyond personal achievement. It reflects a shift in how women’s cricket is investing in young talent. “They’ve started supporting younger players,” she explains. “There’s now a system at club level that identifies players who are ready for provincial teams.”
That early exposure, she says, is preparing players for the professional game. “Younger players are introduced into provincial settings early, which helps prepare us for the pro level.”
When the reality of her selection settled in, excitement followed. “I couldn’t hold myself. I was overexcited and I couldn’t wait to go there, see what they’re doing and learn more,” Moriri says. Once inspired by the greats she watched from the sidelines, Mankwana Moriri is now stepping onto the international stage herself.
