Pace bowler Ayabonga Khaka will become the first black African woman to earn 100 ODI caps for the Proteas when she appears in the third match of the series against Sri Lanka in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

South Africa lead the series 1-0 after securing a seven-wicket victory in the second match following the washed-out opening encounter.

“I’m not the person that always looks at milestones,” said Khaka. “I enjoy playing for my country and I am honoured that I will have a possibility to achieve that.”

The iXesi-born seamer will become the ninth woman, the first black African woman, and the third black African (along with Makhaya Ntini and Kagiso Rabada) to achieve the mark for South Africa in ODI cricket.

“To be honest, I’m just a cricketer,” she said. “I’ll take it that I’m achieving a milestone that other people have achieved. I’m not looking at it as I’m the first one, but I’m grateful to be part of the group that has achieved that. We have had great players before me and I’m just honoured to be part of them.

“I always looked up to Makhaya Ntini when I was growing up. I could relate to him because we’re coming from the same parts of the country. And with KG [Rabada], he’s still going, he’s still a youngster, but with the experience that he has, he’s showing up each and every day. I’m grateful to be part of that list with those two great guys.”

Wednesday’s match will start at 2pm.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images