The 2026 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) is set to showcase an exciting South African contingent, with six Proteas stars joining some of the world’s leading women cricketers for this year’s expanded tournament.
The competition gets underway on 5 September 2026 in Barbados and will run until 17 September, with all eight matches scheduled to take place at the iconic Kensington Oval. This year’s tournament will feature four franchises, with the Jamaica Empress joining the Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders.
For South African cricket, the tournament presents another valuable opportunity for the country’s leading players to gain experience in a highly competitive franchise environment while flying the Proteas flag on the international stage.
Mlaba joins Jamaica Empress
South African left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has been signed by the newly introduced Jamaica Empress, who have made an immediate statement with a star-studded overseas contingent.
Mlaba will join former Australia captain Meg Lanning, Ireland wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter, Pakistan’s Syeda Aroob Shah and New Zealand seamer Rosemary Mair. The Jamaica Empress will be making their debut in the WCPL this season. For Mlaba, the tournament offers an opportunity to bring her experience as an international spinner to a new franchise while being part of a historic first season for the Jamaican side.
Kapp brings experience to Trinbago
Veteran South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp will represent the Trinbago Knight Riders, making her WCPL debut.
Kapp brings extensive franchise experience to the competition, having featured in more than 200 T20 matches across franchise cricket. She will form part of a strong international group at Trinbago alongside Australia’s Laura Harris and Madeline Penna, as well as India’s Shikha Pandey and Yastika Bhatia. Kapp’s experience with both bat and ball could prove crucial for the Knight Riders as they look to challenge for the title.
Guyana Amazon Warriors build a South African core
The strongest South African representation will come at the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have assembled an impressive quartet of Proteas players.
Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, all-rounders Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon, and batter Tazmin Brits will all line up for the Warriors. Ismail, one of the most feared fast bowlers in women’s cricket, returns to the WCPL after collecting 16 wickets across the 2023 and 2024 editions. She will spearhead the Warriors’ pace attack, while de Klerk adds further all-round ability to the side. Tryon brings explosive power and experience in the middle order, while Brits will make her WCPL debut after earning her place among the Warriors’ international signings.
The combination gives Guyana a particularly strong South African spine and could make them one of the sides to watch during the tournament.
A growing global platform for women’s cricket
The presence of six South African players across three franchises highlights the growing international appeal of the WCPL and the increasing opportunities available to women cricketers through franchise cricket.
The 2026 edition is particularly significant for the competition. The addition of Jamaica Empress has expanded the league to four teams, while all five overseas players contracted by each franchise are eligible for selection in the playing XI, giving teams greater flexibility when selecting their squads.
The tournament also carries a wider message of empowerment and opportunity. The WCPL has launched its refreshed identity around the themes of “empowerment, the will to win and close community”, captured in its new campaign, “She’s In.”
For South Africa, the message is equally relevant. From Mlaba’s spin to Ismail’s express pace, Kapp’s experience, de Klerk and Tryon’s all-round capabilities and Brits’ batting, the Proteas contingent will bring a mixture of experience, power and versatility to the Caribbean.
First up: Barbados Tridents Women vs Trinbago Knight Riders Women.
📍 Kensington Oval, Barbados
🕒 15:00 Barbados time | 21:00 South African time
🏏 WCPL 2026 – Match 1
For South African cricket fans, the WCPL offers another chance to watch the Proteas’ finest compete on a global franchise stage — and the action begins with Marizanne Kapp and the Trinbago Knight Riders.
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