Proteas Women star Mlaba, sets sights on top cricket honours

Proteas women left arm-spinner, Nonkululeko Mlaba, says being nominated in five categories in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards, is a testament to the hard work she has put into her game.

Cricket SA, last week announced the nominees for the awards for 2024-25 season, aimed at celebrating both the Women and Men’s performances across the domestic and international cricket seasons.

Mlaba who dominates on the field, is also dominating in the nominations.

The spin sensation has been shortlisted for:

Women’s T20I Player of the Year
Women’s ODI Player of the Year
SA Women’s Player of the Year
Delivery of the Year (with two separate entries)
SA Fans’ Player of the Year

All-rounder Annerie Dercksen, batter Laura Wolvaardt and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp have also been nominated for the Women’s Player of the Year award.

T20 Giants. Undeniable Greatness. 👑

Meet the 2025 CSA Awards nominees for Women’s T20I Player of the Year. The game-changers who’ve delivered under pressure, lit up the shortest format, and flown the flag with pride! 🇿🇦🏏💥

Their performances weren’t just brilliant, they were… pic.twitter.com/Sh1VAQ7fv2

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) July 15, 2025

Driven by passion and purpose, the young Proteas star is aiming for the sport’s most prestigious awards.

Speaking exclusively to Ysports, Mlaba says it hasn’t been an easy journey to get to the where she is now, in the sport.

Mlaba made her Women’s Twenty20 International (WT20I) debut for South Africa, against India, in September 2019.

In July 2020, Mlaba was named newcomer of the year at Cricket South Africa’s annual awards ceremony.

She achieved a milestone as the first South African women cricketer to record a 10 wicket haul in a test match when South Africa played a once-off test in December 2024 against England.

Mlaba recorded her international T20 career best against the West Indies of 4/29, at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

South Africa were runner-ups in that tournament.

The KZN born bowler says cricket has been her love and she feels blessed that it’s now her career.

This past season was filled with landmark achievements across the national setup.

The Proteas Men reached their first-ever final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and secured a place in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, which they ultimately went on to win.

The Proteas Women also advanced to their second consecutive final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE.

The CSA awards ceremony will be held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, on 31 July 2025.

CSA PROFESSIONAL AWARDS 2024_25 NOMINEES