Mystery surrounds Cricket South Africa‘s (CSA) decision to postpone their Women’s T20 World Cup squad announcement, minutes before it was due to go live.

On Monday morning, CSA confirmed they would name the squad live on an online media opportunity at 11am local time. Ten minutes before the hour, a second message said the event would be held back “due to a need for further internal reviews. A new squad announcement date will be shared in due course.”

Teams must send the final squad list for the T20 World Cup to the ICC before the tournament support period begins in early June. Teams cannot make any changes after that date, unless there is a medical reason, or one approved by the ICC.

A source close to the situation told ESPNcricinfo the delay has been caused by a “minor internal matter,” and not a selection controversy though there are two potentially brewing.

ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that retired seamer Shabnim Ismail made herself available for selection and national coach Mandla Mashimbyi is keen to have her involved even though she has not played international cricket for more than three years. Ismail retired after the home T20 World Cup in 2023 but has remained active on the league circuit.

If selected, she will add firepower to an attack that is largely dependent on Marizanne Kapp, who has been out of action since February with illness.

Kapp missed South Africa’s series against New Zealand and India as she recovered. She is expected to be fit for the T20 World Cup. Her wife, former captain Dane van Niekerk, who made an international comeback last year is a selection doubt.

After playing nine internationals in the 2025/26 season, van Niekerk suffered a calf injury in New Zealand and has been sidelined since. She has also not bowled since returning to the national fold and though she is established as a batting finisher, there may not be room for her in the squad.