Wife versus wife: Kapp and van Niekerk battle in WBBL final

When Marizanne Kapp runs in to bowl her first over in Saturday's Weber WBBL final at Optus Stadium, her wife will be hoping the star Perth Scorchers allrounder doesn't come away with a wicket. 

That's because Kapp's wife is Adelaide Strikers opener Dane van Niekerk, who has already been dismissed twice this season by Kapp.

Van Niekerk was dismissed by Kapp for five and 10 in their two match-ups this WBBL season, with the Scorchers going on to win both games.

The wife versus wife battle looms as a fascinating subplot to Saturday's decider at Optus Stadium. 

Together, the pair have won every major T20 league title, playing in two victorious campaigns for Sydney Sixers in WBBL|02 and |03, for the Surrey Stars in their English Super League triumph in 2018, and just two months ago, were part of Oval Invincibles' win in the inaugural season of The Hundred.

But this time, there can only be one winner.

Kapp can't help but feel fearful the tables might turn when it matters the most.

"I'm a bit nervous that I got her out twice this season and I'm nervous that the third time might be her day," Kapp said.

"If we bowl first, it's literally me up against her immediately.

"Every now and then she's a bit upset with me, because she's said previously that people absolutely annihilate her on social media every time I get her out, so she's not looking forward to that.

"But look, it's part of the game and we're used to it.

"I always tell everyone that it's never easy playing against Dane because she knows me so well and she knows what I'm thinking and what I'm trying to do."

Kapp has built up somewhat of a knack of dismissing van Niekerk on the rare occasions that the South African teammates are on opposing sides.

"In the first ever Super League season (in 2016) I played against her, and she was absolutely smashing my team all over the place," Kapp said.

"She was on 96 and was on her way to hitting the first hundred of the competition, and I got her out there as well.

"I felt so bad, because that would have been her first T20 hundred as well."

Speaking on Channel Seven's coverage this week, van Niekerk said her competitive instincts had a habit of overpowering her better judgement when facing Kapp.

"I know what she bowls, I've known this for 12 years, but for some reason I don't know what she bowls," van Niekerk laughed.

"I'm going to try and not get out to her, that's the plan.

"But I know this little person on my shoulder will say, 'take her on, show her who's boss' but it's probably not going to work."

The pair, who married in 2018, spent five seasons at the Sydney Sixers together before Kapp decided to join the Scorchers ahead of this season.

They played on opposing sides in WBBL|01, with van Niekerk at the Renegades before she shifted to the Sydney club.

Both players parted ways with the Sixers following WBBL|06 and the Scorchers moved quickly to snap up Kapp, but with Kiwi great Sophie Devine and Sri Lanka star Chamari Athapaththu on the books, had no room for van Niekerk.

It looked as though van Niekerk would remain in South Africa this WBBL season until a last-minute call-up came from the Strikers when Suzie Bates pulled out on the eve of the tournament.

"We've always been open to going to separate teams," Kapp said.

"In the past I got so annoyed when journalists kind of painted this picture that we can only play in the same team, but it's never been a case of that."

WBBL|07 Finals

The Eliminator: Adelaide Strikers beat Brisbane Heat by eight wickets

The Challenger: Melbourne Renegades lost to Adelaide Strikers by nine wickets

The Final: Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers | Optus Stadium | November 27 at 4.10pm local (7.10pm AEDT)

Grab your tickets or tune in on the Seven Network, Fox Cricket, Kayo, the CA Live app or listen on ABC radio