South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk ruled out of World Cup

Van Niekerk fractured her ankle when she slipped on a wet surface at home

South Africa have suffered a major blow ahead of the Women's World Cup, with captain Dane van Niekerk out of the tournament.

Van Niekerk slipped on a wet surface at her home, fracturing her left ankle and ruling her out of action for at least three months. The World Cup begins in New Zealand at the start of March.

The 28-year-old scored 356 runs for Adelaide Strikers in the recent Women's Big Bash. She was also the leading run-scorer in The Hundred, averaging 43.16 in captaining eventual winners Oval Invincibles to the title.

Proteas team doctor Tshegofatso Gaetsewe said: "As things stand, she doesn't require surgery but will be monitored closely. It's a stable fracture with minimal displacement and her recovery timeline is no less than 12 weeks."

^{Van Niekerk captained Oval Invincibles to victory in The Hundred (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

"Losing Dane is massive for the team and the country, we will sorely miss her leadership and all-round cricket abilities. I would like to wish her all the best with her recovery and a smooth and seamless return to the national team," added convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez.

In her absence, South Africa will be reliant on the experience of Marizanne Kapp, Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee with the bat, while Laura Wolvaardt has also established herself as one of the leading batters in the women's game.

Ahead of the World Cup, South Africa are due to face West Indies in a four-match ODI series and have named a 21-strong squad for a preceding training camp.

Among that group is uncapped batter Delmari Tucker, while Raisibe Ntozakhe is included having last represented her country in 2018.