TRAILBLAZING UMPIRE LAUREN AGENBAG IS BREAKING BOUNDARIES

For Lauren Agenbag, umpiring was not love at first sight.

Having been a player since she was a toddler, and active throughout her school career, the idea of standing still in the middle of the field in the blazing sun the entire day was not naturally appealing to Agenbag.

But when faced with the decision of how to remain involved in the game she adored after heading to university and moving from her hometown, the first seed of becoming an umpire was planted.

Agenbag’s initial reservations were quickly overshadowed by her natural aptitude for an art that is arguably the most unappreciated in our wonderful game.

Her remarkable performances on the field attracted attention, fuelling her rise through the umpiring ranks. Before long, she shattered glass ceilings and emerged as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female umpires.

“When I decided to stop playing, I looked at different options because obviously you don't want to leave a game that's been part of your life for like, most of your life,” Agenbag told Betway SA20.

“Someone basically mentioned umpiring to me and I thought, oh, I don't know. I don't know about that. Never looked appealing to me.

“But then I thought, let's give it a season, see how it goes. And then at least I can say I've tried it and well, enjoyed it a lot more than what I thought. What do they say? Looks can be deceiving.”

The enjoyment factor was certainly aided by the fact that umpiring came naturally to Agenbag. Her sterling performances did not go unnoticed as she moved swiftly through the levels.

The accolades followed and soon she became a trailblazer, smashing down glass ceilings, and being transformed into an inspiration for fellow female umpires.

In February 2019, Agenbag became the first South African woman to stand in an international when she oversaw the Women’s T20I between Proteas and Sri Lanka at Newlands Cape Town, before her ascension to the CSA Umpires Elite panel in June 2023.

Agenbag is also the only female umpire in Betway SA20 the past two seasons and is looking forward to the energy and high tempo of South Africa’s premier T20 competition in Season 4 again.

“I absolutely love that tournament,” she said. “It's obviously serious, but at the same time, it's got an enjoyment factor to it.”

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Betway SA20 does pose a set of unique challenges to umpires with the high-level of noise inside the stadiums due to the large crowds in attendance at all six venues.

But due to her experience at having stood in mega Women’s T20 World Cup clashes between India and Pakistan in the UAE, Agenbag is well prepared for the occasion. In fact, she even embraces it.

“The crowds always bring the X-factor. I've done some women's games where the crowd is vibing and I don't think I'll ever forget that day in Dubai Stadium, which was like at full capacity last year in the T20 World Cup,” she said.

“As we walked out, my partner and I couldn't hear a word that we were saying to each other. So yeah, it does make it a bit more difficult to hear stuff.

“But those games sometimes are actually the easiest because you can prepare mentally, knowing it's going to be noisy and all those things.

“You're actually more switched on than a game when nothing's happening and it's quiet. And sometimes you just also have to trust your gut feeling and the players’ reactions.”

The 29-year-old also credits “the Godfather” of South African umpiring Marais Erasmus, who stood in the inaugural Betway SA20 Final, for playing a leading role in her development along with the late Shaun George.

“Marais was obviously a big inspiration. I think to any South African umpire. His calmness on the field, the way he never seemed to be flustered about anything is something that every umpire, South African umpires especially, him being a South African, umpiring on the highest level of umpiring aspire to. So, he was obviously one of my inspirations,” Agenbag said.

“The late Shaun George, also, I actually was honoured enough to work a couple of times with him. Unfortunately, I never got a game on the field with him. But, yeah, that's just how life works.

“I haven’t modelled myself on one particular umpire, but yeah I do like taking stuff from different umpires and try to incorporate it in my umpiring.”

Agenbag will be the on-field umpire in the plum New Year’s Day fixture between Joburg Super Kings and Durban’s Super Giants at the Wanderers and when DSG host Paarl Royals at Kingsmead on January 17, 2026.

She will also serve as the TV Umpire in four further matches across the duration of the competition.