“Having a bit of a pipeline of players coming through who are, hopefully, able to play full-time cricket is going to increase the depth for our country – something we’ve been lacking,” Wolvaardt told the BBC World Service’s Stumped.
“We’ve had a well looked-after national side but below that, in the past, we haven’t had much to feed into that.”
The top six teams in CSA’s new format will compete in 50-over and 20-over competitions and are likely to play some matches on the same day as men’s games to increase visibility of the game.
Countries including England, New Zealand and India have also created equal pay for their senior international teams.
Wolvaardt envisages a women’s version of the South African T20 franchise SA20 starting within the next five years, pointing to Australia’s Women’s National Cricket League and Big Bash League as competitions to emulate.
“Australia is so far ahead of the game and it’s not surprising that they’ve had one of the leading leagues in the world for about 10 years,” she observes.
“Just the amount of cricket you’re able to play, and the high quality those leagues provide, is something we’re missing.
“We also need more game time – it adds a whole extra set of games for our girls to be playing. Even if it’s small – just three or four teams, a mini-SA20 – getting the girls used to the experience and playing more cricket would be a really good idea.”