The 20-year-old sprang to prominence with an eye-catching effort in the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia at the SCG earlier this year. 

Called into the Proteas side on match day in place of a virus-hit Marizanne Kapp, De Klerk snapped up 3-19 in the Australian innings as South Africa fought hard in the rain-affected match to lose by just five 5 runs.  

A talented athlete who competed nationally as a javelin thrower, De Klerk weighed up pursuing an athletic scholarship before being chosen as a 17-year-old in the Proteas squad for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup in England. 

She grew up playing cricket on the family farm in Pretoria with her older brother and started playing organised cricket when she was 11.S

She now plays her cricket with the Western Province team. 

The Heat featured the South Africa duo of Wolvaardt and Sune Luus in their championship squad that won the club’s first WBBL title two years ago. 

WBBL Heat coach Ashley Noffke said the introduction of another exciting young player was a boost for the club.

“Anyone who saw Nadine charge in and bowl without fear against the best team in the world would have been impressed,” he said.

“She’s got very good skills and is certainly a player who likes to lead by example. We’re very confident she will complement the squad we are assembling, and it will be exciting for our fans to see her in action when we get underway.”

– Brisbane Heat media