Nadine de Klerk joins Sydney Thunder for WBBL 12 on one-year deal
Synopsis
Nadine de Klerk swaps Brisbane Heat for Sydney Thunder ahead of WBBL 12, reuniting with WPL title-winning teammates Lauren Bell and Georgia Voll. The South African all-rounder brings 155 international caps, 2,024 runs and 142 wickets to a Thunder side that looks increasingly well-stocked for the new season.
Key Takeaways
Nadine de Klerk has signed a one-year contract with Sydney Thunder for WBBL 12 , ending her time at Brisbane Heat .
The 26-year-old will be available for the full tournament, including the finals, alongside overseas recruits Heather Knight and Lauren Bell .
Her final Heat season was her best — 158 runs and 5 wickets — earning her the club's Most Valuable Player award.
De Klerk won the Women's Premier League title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in 2026 alongside Thunder teammates Bell and Georgia Voll .
She has represented South Africa 155 times across formats, accumulating 2,024 runs and 142 wickets .
South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk has signed a one-year contract with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 12 season, ending her stint with Brisbane Heat after 33 appearances in the competition. The 26-year-old will be available for the entire tournament, including the finals.
Thunder's Overseas Lineup Takes Shape
De Klerk joins England internationals Heather Knight and Lauren Bell as Sydney Thunder's overseas recruits for WBBL 12. Her arrival gives the Western Sydney franchise an experienced all-round option heading into the new campaign, with the ability to contribute both in the lower order with the bat and as a wicket-taking bowler.
'It was a pretty easy decision to end up here. 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 said in a club statement.
A Productive Final Season at Brisbane Heat
De Klerk made her WBBL debut in 2020 and went on to represent Brisbane Heat across 33 matches. Her most recent season with the Heat proved to be her most productive in the competition — she scored 158 runs and claimed five wickets, earning the club's Most Valuable Player award despite the team enduring a difficult campaign.
WPL Title Connection Brings Familiar Faces
The signing reunites De Klerk with teammates from Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) triumphant Women's Premier League (WPL) campaign earlier this year. She claimed her maiden WPL title alongside Lauren Bell and Australian batter Georgia Voll, both of whom will also feature for Thunder in WBBL 12.
'I obviously made some really great memories with Georgia (Voll) and Lauren (Bell) playing with them at RCB and lifting that trophy. 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,' de Klerk added.
A Packed Global T20 Calendar
De Klerk's signing follows a remarkably busy year on the international T20 circuit. After the WPL, she represented London Spirit in The Hundred before debuting for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League. She was also part of the South Africa squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in July, where they fell to England at The Oval.
Across her international career, De Klerk has represented South Africa 155 times in Tests, one-day internationals and T20 internationals, accumulating 2,024 runs and claiming 142 wickets. Her dual-threat profile is expected to be a key asset for Thunder as they look to make a strong impression in WBBL 12.
Point of View
Voll and De Klerk already have a title-winning dynamic, which is a difficult thing to manufacture and an underrated advantage in a knockout format. Whether Thunder can convert squad depth into silverware will depend on how well that WPL camaraderie translates to Australian conditions in WBBL 12.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nadine de Klerk leave Brisbane Heat for Sydney Thunder?
Nadine de Klerk ended her association with Brisbane Heat and signed a one-year contract with Sydney Thunder ahead of WBBL 12. In her own words, it was 'a pretty easy decision,' citing Thunder's well-balanced squad and familiar teammates.
Who are Sydney Thunder's overseas players for WBBL 12?
Sydney Thunder have signed three overseas players for WBBL 12: South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk and England internationals Heather Knight and Lauren Bell. All three will be available throughout the tournament.
What is Nadine de Klerk's WBBL record?
De Klerk made her WBBL debut in 2020 and played 33 matches for Brisbane Heat. Her most recent season was her most productive, scoring 158 runs and taking five wickets, which earned her Brisbane Heat's Most Valuable Player award.
Which players from Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play for Sydney Thunder in WBBL 12?
Three players who were part of RCB's WPL title-winning campaign will feature for Sydney Thunder in WBBL 12 — Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell and Australian batter Georgia Voll. De Klerk specifically cited shared WPL memories as a reason for her excitement about the move.
How far did South Africa go in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup?
South Africa reached the semi-finals of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in July, where they were eliminated by England at The Oval. Nadine de Klerk was part of that squad.
