Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has illustrated her desire to lengthen her Proteas Women’s career by opting out of the final year of her three-year Melbourne Stars contract.
The 36-year-old has chosen to focus on international duty ahead of a packed Proteas Women schedule and will miss WBBL|12 entirely.
Kapp signed with the Stars ahead of WBBL|10 and has featured in all 11 previous WBBL seasons across four different clubs in Australia.
The Proteas Women’s team is due to play a rare Test against India starting on December 9, just four days after WBBL|12 concludes, as part of a multi-format series that also includes three ODIs and three T20Is.
That series is only the start of a demanding run for the Proteas Women, with Mandla Mashimbyi’s team competing in the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in February before hosting Australia in a historic multi-format series in March and April.
Kapp’s international future has long been in the balance after an interrupted start to 2026, where she missed matches against both India and Pakistan through illness and injury.
The veteran’s role in the Proteas’ fortunes, however, remains integral after she starred for the national side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, finishing her campaign with 124 runs and eight wickets to earn a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
Kapp has since been active in various franchise T20 leagues, where she performed admirably for the London Spirit in The Hundred—averaging 31.16 with the bat and claiming 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.82—and is currently playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders Women in the CPL.
Stars general manager James Rosengarten said the club would miss Kapp’s contribution but respected her decision.
“We are, of course, disappointed to be without someone of Marizanne’s calibre this season,” Rosengarten said in a statement.
“She is one of the world’s finest all-round players, but we understand her priorities at this stage, and it will present another list opportunity for the Stars.“
Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt (Strikers) is currently the only South African contracted for the upcoming WBBL season. It remains unclear what impact the December Test against India will have on her availability for the Strikers.
