South Africa star ready to hit the ground running for Sixers

After a frustrating year spent largely on the sidelines, Sydney Sixers import Dane van Niekerk isn’t going to let jetlag get in the way of donning the magenta at Hurstville Oval this weekend.

The South Africa captain arrived in Australia from Port Elizabeth on Wednesday and expects to line up for the Sixers when they take on the Melbourne Stars on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a rapid turnaround, but van Niekerk need only look to the example of fellow South African and Sixers import, Marizanne Kapp – who is also her wife – after the fiery quick turned out for last Friday’s season opener just two days after arriving on Australian soil following the end of the Proteas’ tour of India.

"They tried their level best to get me here earlier to acclimatise, but Marizanne did (managed a quick turnover) and she said she was fine," van Niekerk said on Thursday.

"We’ve done it enough to know what we need to do to be ready to play."

Van Niekerk played for the Surrey Stars in England’s Super League in August, but that stint was bookended by leg and foot injuries that prevented her from leading her country in a home series against Pakistan earlier this year and most recently, on their tour of India.

The need to pass a final fitness test in South Africa before joining her Sixers teammates delayed van Niekerk’s arrival Down Under, but she doesn’t believe the quick turnaround will be an issue.

"With my injuries, I had to do a ‘return to play’ game in South Africa as well," she said.

"I’m actually okay (with jetlag), I’m glad I’m starting training today so I can get over the worst of it.

"I’ve done it for four or five years now, so I know what to expect."

The Sixers are 1-1 after two games following a humbling 93-run defeat to Brisbane Heat at North Sydney Oval on Saturday night.

They are now set to encounter a Stars team desperate for their first win after dropping back-to-back matches against the Hobart Hurricanes last weekend.

On paper, the Sixers would appear to have a distinct upper hand against the injury-hit Stars, but they won’t forget their WBBL|04 results in a hurry after Melbourne team upset the Sixers not once, but twice.

In the first of those defeats, it was van Niekerk’s countrywoman Lizelle Lee who did the damage with a stunning unbeaten 102 from 56 deliveries.

"She’s like a runaway train when she gets going," van Niekerk said of Lee.

"You have to try and stop the run flow more than anything else, try and get her off strike.

"Hopefully with Marizanne (Kapp) there, she can maybe stop Lee early.

"We won’t be taking any team lightly in the competition."