Miané Smit: Proteas Women hopeful embracing the journey to the top

Knights allrounder Miane Smit is steadily carving out a name for herself in South African women’s cricket.

 Having previously represented the South Africa U19s and SA Emerging, she was part of the Proteas Women squad that reached the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates as a travelling reserve.

Although she remains uncapped, the 20-year-old’s recent involvement in the national camp in Tshwane (17–21 February) highlights her growing presence in the senior setup.

For Smit, sharing the field with South Africa’s top players is both a privilege and an opportunity for growth. “It’s always nice and always an honour and a privilege to be among the country’s best, learning, playing, and just growing as a player,” she commented.

Even when the inclement weather interrupted proceedings during the camp held at the CSA Centre of Excellence, Smit continued to develop her tactical knowledge by analysing indoor training and her game alongside senior players.

“A lot of game plan more because of the rain. We can’t get out physically playing our skill or just being in the middle. So it’s a bit more tactical awareness and even a bit technical with some players with bowling and the batting” she explained.

Despite not playing in the World Cup, being part of the squad that reached the final was a surreal experience for the youngster.

“It’s so unbelievable just to think back and playing in a final or being part of a final with the team and on a bigger stage. It is incredible.

"I still get goosebumps when I think of all the players I met, and, I mean, you walk into the elevator, and Alyssa Healy is standing next to you, and you’re like, ‘Yeah’.

“It was an amazing experience and certainly learned a lot,” she recalled.

Smit’s love for cricket started at home, playing with her father and brothers Pieter and Malan Smit. “I’m very privileged to have a father, two younger brothers and nephews who really love cricket.

"It all started in the backyard, playing cricket on Sunday and during the week. And then my father and I created a plan, and I secretly joined the boys in primary school without my mother knowing at first.

"So yeah, it’s just the passion and love for the game just keeps growing, and now I’m still here and loving what I do.”

Smit grew up admiring Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt—a player she now has the chance to interact with. “Definitely Wolfie, since a young age. And I think most of the girls do” she confirmed when asked about her childhood hero.

“We’ve had a few conversations. Derkie (Annerie Dercksen) usually jokes about it when I’m with Wolfie, and I’m a bit shy still. But I learn a lot from her, and we’ve definitely spent some time chatting about the game, and I enjoy it a lot.”

“But I think all of them, especially the match winners—people like Kappie (Marizanne Kapp) and Chloé (Tryon). Now, just being around them all, I feel like all of them are my heroes—people I look up to in different aspects of the game.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Smit, who has played nine matches in the Hollywoodbets Pro Series, is focused on making an impact with the bat and ball.

“2025 is a year full of possibilities, so I can’t even imagine. If we stand at the end of the year, I won’t even be able to imagine or just take in everything that might happen this year.

"God willing, I believe cricket will always take first place, but I focus a lot on my studies, and I have great friends and a great family who really support me. For now, I just want to score 100s—making runs, taking wickets, and just playing cricket.

Beyond the cricket field, Smit is pursuing accounting, following in her mother’s footsteps. “I’m studying accounting. I really have a passion for numbers and doing all the little sums. My mother is an accountant, so she always just speaks great about it. I’m trying to study accounting, but so far, I’ve been passing.

Proteas Women Training Camp Squad:

Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Knights), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province)