Annerie Dercksen

In a country that seems to have an assembly line of quality allrounders, Annerie Dercksen has emerged as a fresh and exciting prospect. She won the ICC's emerging women's cricketer of the year award in 2024, the first from South Africa to do so, and has since given ample proof of her abilities.

Dercksen hails from the rural Beaufort-Wes area. She grew up on a farm, pursuing cricket during her university years as she made the transition from spin to seam bowling. The decision proved to be a good one, as she made her senior debut for the South Western Districts team soon after. She is now a key contributor to the side, though her attention has been more on international cricket, since her debut in a T20I against West Indies in 2023.

In a T20I series decider against Pakistan in 2024, she smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 23 balls. The innings featured six fours and two sixes, and was the point of difference as South Africa clinched the match as well as the series. Just a year later, she also compiled her first ODI century against Sri Lanka.

While Dercksen has not had the chance to become the premier allrounder for South Africa yet - Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk are still in the equation - she was also crucial to South Africa's run to the final of the T20 World Cup in 2024. Her handy knack of picking up wickets alongside her big hits makes her a dynamic addition to South Africa and, by the looks of it, she has many matches - and years - left to serve the team.