Thunder snare Proteas allrounder in WBBL coup

Sydney Thunder have finalised their overseas contingent for Weber WBBL|12 after signing South Africa allrounder Nadine de Klerk.

De Klerk, who has played 33 Big Bash games for Brisbane Heat since 2020, has been poached by the Thunder on a one-year deal with full availability including finals.

The 26-year-old joins England's Heather Knight and Lauren Bell as the club's international players for WBBL|12.

"It was a pretty easy decision to end up here," de Klerk said in a statement.

"I'm always hoping to have a big impact, whether it's with the bat coming in lower down the order ... or same with the ball by trying to keep it tight or taking wickets.  

"I think we have a really good group (and) a really well-balanced squad."

De Klerk returns to Australia off the back of the best Big Bash campaign of her career so far.

The Proteas right-hander made 158 runs and took five wickets for the Heat in their challenging WBBL|11 campaign, earning the club's MVP award last season.

Since her last WBBL fixture in November, de Klerk has continued to feature in T20 tournaments around the world.

She returned to India's Women's Premier League in January, claiming her maiden WPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru alongside new Thunder teammates Bell and Australia star Georgia Voll.

"I obviously made some really great memories with Georgia (Voll) and Lauren (Bell) playing with them at RCB and lifting that trophy," de Klerk said.

"Both of them are world class players (and) we've seen what they've been able to do, playing a massive role in us winning that competition. 

"Lauren with the new ball has been exceptional for the past couple of years and Georgia is still so young it's crazy to think what she's achieved. I'm really excited to be a part of the Sydney Thunder this year."

Following the WPL, de Klerk played a key role for London Spirit in the UK's Hundred competition, before taking part in the Caribbean Premier League for the first time where she represented Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The versatile right-hander was also a member of South Africa's 2026 T20 World Cup side that reached the semi-finals in July, falling to England at The Oval.

She brings with her 155 games of international experience across all three formats, having taken 142 wickets and made 2,024 runs for her country.

"Nadine (de Klerk) is one of the best allrounders in world cricket," Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said in a statement.

"This is all about explosiveness with the bat and calmness with the ball in key phases. The pairing with Laura Harris in our middle order is as dangerous as it gets in the WBBL and undoubtedly sets us apart on our best day from any team in the competition.

"We think she's going to be a fantastic addition to our group, and we can't wait to see what she can do in lime green this summer."

The Thunder have now filled 14 of the club's 15 roster spots available for WBBL|12.

De Klerk is set to reunite with former Heat teammate Nicola Hancock who signed with the Western Sydney team last month.

The club have also recruited South Australia's WNCL captain Jemma Barsby from Adelaide Strikers.

WBBL|12 begins on Thursday with the Thunder taking on Melbourne Renegades at Junction Oval in the first game of the new season.

Sydney Thunder's WBBL|12 squad (so far)

Contracted for WBBL|12: Jemma Barsby (W|12), Sam Bates (W|12), Lauren Bell (England) (W|12), Hannah Darlington (W|13), Nadine de Klerk (W|12), Lucy Finn (W|13), Hasrat Gill (W|12), Nicola Hancock (W|12), Laura Harris (W|12), Heather Knight (England)(W|12), Anika Learoyd (W|12), Phoebe Litchfield (W|13), Georgia Voll (W|13), Tahlia Wilson (W|13)

 

Uncontracted: Ella Briscoe, Sienna Eve, Taneale Peschel, Tara French (LRP), Alex Mavros (LRP)

 

Coach: Lisa Keightley