Marizanne Kapp granted leave after wife Dane van Niekerk left out of South Africa's T20 World Cup squad

Marizanne Kapp has been granted compassionate leave after her wife, Dane van Niekerk was left out of South Africa's World Cup Squad for failing to meet fitness standards.

Captain Van Niekerk, who has made 194 appearances in all formats for her country, was unable to complete a two-kilometre run in the minimum required time.

Her wife, Kapp, will also miss the final of the T20 tri-series against India before rejoining the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup in South Africa.

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"Emotional couple of days, I am a wife FIRST and then a cricketer," Kapp posted on Twitter.

"Thank you CSA for affording me the opportunity to be home to support my wife and see the family, as I mentally refresh and prepare for the T20 World Cup.

"It has always been my biggest honour to represent my country."

Van Niekerk's recovery from a broken ankle has contributed to her absence for the Proteas since September 2021 but she was left out of the tri-series with India and the West Indies this month.

"Dane was given an extensive opportunity to meet the minimum criteria for the fitness benchmark," selector Clinton du Preez told reporters.

"Everyone is quite familiar with the situation and what is required. In December, we set it out clearly with where she needs to be. Dane will always be missed on the cricket field. We have reminded her of that.

"We also appreciate the effort she tried to put into meeting the fitness level."

Sune Luus will continue to deputise as captain in van Niekerk's absence.

Writing on her social media, the all-rounder said: "Absolutely BROKEN..."

Lizelle Lee announced her international retirement last year, telling the BBC failing a weight test was a factor in her decision, saying: "Emotionally that's just so draining and I couldn't do it anymore."

Cross: Harder for women to maintain fitness than men

England bowler Kate Cross says that it is harder for women to maintain fitness than men, and has questioned whether specifics such as a failed fitness test should be made public.

Speaking on BBC Cricket's No Balls podcast, Cross said: "Women in general find it harder to keep fitness levels than men do, we would have to keep ticking over a lot more than men do because that's just how it works in our anatomy. We've got it harder and that's not an excuse. We lose fitness quicker."

Cross, who is part of England's 15-player squad for the tournament, described fitness targets as "a fine line" and explained how a two-kilometre run wouldn't necessarily reflect whether an athlete is in shape to play cricket.

"That's probably your very baseline fitness, which I fully believe you have to have," she added.

"If it affects your injuries which then affects the team then it becomes an issue and that's where fitness needs to be tailored to the individual.

"I also think that cricket fitness, like fit for purpose in cricket, looks very different to being fit.

"When I'm at my best cricket-wise, I'm bowling fit and can bowl 12 overs on the bounce, but if I did a two-kilometre run it probably won't be my best.

"There's that fine balance between the skill and are you fit for purpose for that team and if you can do that role."

Watch the T20 Women's World Cup live on Sky Sports, starting with the opener on between South Africa and Sri Lanka from 5pm on February 10.