Wicketkeeper batter Karabo Meso earned her maiden call-up to the Proteas Women squad at the age of just 16 years and 179 days old.
Meso’s path to the South African senior squad has been characterised by determination and remarkable talent.
After falling in love with the game at the age of seven through KFC Mini-Cricket, the Soweto-born cricketer began her journey in the Lions’ age-group ranks before going on to feature for the professional side, SA U19 and SA Emerging teams.
Meso gained selection for the inaugural 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup held on home soil, where she impressed with a competition-high eight dismissals on the way to being picked for the Team of the Tournament after South Africa bowed out at the Super Six stage.
Days before getting the Proteas call-up, Meso was taking part in the first-ever Women’s T20 competition at the 13th African Games in Ghana. The teenager handled the wicketkeeping duties to help Team South Africa take silver after a Super Over defeat against Zimbabwe in the final.
“I got the message a day before it got announced in the media,” said the 2023 SA U19 Women’s Player of the Year. “I didn’t know how to react because at first, I didn’t believe it, even though it came out of my coach’s mouth. I felt it was like a movie, I’m truly honoured.
“It’s not that easy to play for your country at a young age. Not many people can make a national team at the age of 16, so I’m going to learn a lot.”
Looking back at a pivotal period in her burgeoning career, Meso highlights the impact of the U19 World Cup experience.
“I started playing for the Lions in 2021. I was still young, I didn’t know anything. I just played cricket for fun, even though it was the women’s side I just played and then the trials for the World Cup came and I played in the World Cup.
“It also showed me as a cricketer that we grow. People grow playing cricket, any sport, whenever they take a step forward. Taking a step forward actually makes people grow day by day, no matter if it’s sports or life.”
Balancing academic commitments alongside her cricketing ambitions has been a challenge for Meso, but one the Steyn City School pupil has tackled with determination and support from those around her.
“At first, it was really hard because I didn’t know what to do,” she admitted. “To the point where I was like, ‘I need help’. So my school created a designated academic schedule for me and I have extra lessons all the time, so I can catch up and be a little forward. To young athletes facing the similar challenges that I’m facing, just seek help. You’re still young, you’re still maturing.”
Going forward, Meso envisions leveraging her passion for cricket for lifelong success, both on and off the field.
“Cricket has been a part of my life’s journey since I was seven. It’s actually inspiring me as a person because now I have bigger goals. Not only a vision of playing for the Proteas, but I also have more goals and ambitions. Goals like playing in all the leagues outside of South Africa.
“My passion drives me to become a better cricketer and to inspire other young athletes who want to be in my shoes.”
The Proteas Women will face Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Wednesday, 27 March at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
Proteas Women T20I squad – Laura Wolvaardt (Titans, captain), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (WP), Annerie Dercksen (Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Marizanne Kapp (WP), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (Titans), Suné Luus (Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Titans), Karabo Meso (Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions), Chloé Tryon (Lions).
