SA ‘A’ Squad Confirmed for West Indies Tour

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a 16-player squad for the South Africa A (SA ‘A’) tour of the West Indies, scheduled from 21 May – 11 June.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins batter Marques Ackerman will captain the side in both the three-match 50-over series and two-match four-day series, with all five matches set to be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia.

Momentum Multiply Titans wicketkeeper-batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius has capped off an impressive domestic season with his maiden call-up to the SA ‘A’ side.

The SA U19 graduate recorded three hundreds in five first-class matches in the CSA 4-Day Series, including a Player of the Match 114 in the Division 1 final against the DP World Lions on Monday.

The 19-year-old was also amongst the top run-scorers in the 1-Day Cup, amassing 316 runs at an average of 45.14 with two hundreds.

Knights batter Lesego Senokwane has also earned his first call-up after a productive season, along with Dolphins paceman Okuhle Cele and Titans off-spinner Schalk Engelbrecht, who is one of four frontline spinners in the squad.

The squad also features several players with Proteas experience, namely Ruan de Swardt, Bjorn Fortuin, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Sinethemba Qeshile and Jason Smith.

Proteas Men’s white-ball fielding coach Wandile Gwavu will oversee the tour.

Commenting on the squad, Gwavu said: “This group of players was selected based on a combination of their performances, potential and specific skills that we believe will be valuable to the senior men’s team in the near future.

“With a busy international schedule ahead, the next World Test Championship cycle approaching, and the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, this tour forms an important part of our broader strategy to widen our national talent pool.

“Conditions were also a key factor in our planning. Playing all five matches at the same venue could see spin playing a major role, which is why we’ve opted to include four spinners in the squad. That said, we believe this group has the skill to adapt and compete, regardless of the conditions.

“Marques is no stranger to captaincy, having led the Dolphins and SA U19s previously, so appointing him as captain was an easy decision. Beyond his experience, he brings the right character to the role as he leads from the front and is deeply passionate about the game. I’m really looking forward to working with him on this upcoming tour,” concluded Gwavu.

The squad will assemble for a camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 11 – 15 May ahead of their departure from OR Tambo International Airport on 16 May.

South Africa A Squad against West Indies A

Marques Ackerman (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Ruan de Swardt (Renault North West Dragons), Schalk Engelbrecht (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Tristan Luus (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lesego Senokwane (Knights), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).

Management

Wandile Gwavu (Head Coach), Riaan Osman (Manager), Justin Ontong (Batting Coach), Quinton Friend (Bowling Coach), Jimmy Kgamadi (Fielding Coach), Dr Salih Solomons (Team Doctor), Laden Gamiet (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Brent Martin (Physiotherapist) and Abram Ndhlovu (Team Analyst).

Fixtures (all times local)

One-Day Matches

Wednesday, 21 May at 09:30