JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) have today confirmed the men’s and women’s 15-player squads to represent Team SA at the African Games in Accra, Ghana from 03 – 23 March.
This year marks a historic moment as T20 cricket makes its debut in the multi-format event, further showcasing the growth and inclusivity of cricket on the African continent.
The men’s squad comprises of players who have represented their respective university teams, while the women’s squad is a mix of SA Emerging players.
Eight teams from across the continent have been divided into two groups and will compete in a combined total of 32 games.
The women, who are drawn in Group A alongside Tanzania, Nigeria and Namibia, will get their campaign underway against the latter on 07 March, before taking on Tanzania and Nigeria on 08 and 10 March respectively.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals on 11 March before the finalists compete for the gold on 13 March.
The men’s campaign will see them competing against Group A opponents Ghana (17 March), Kenya (18 March) and Uganda (20 March) and vie for a semi-final spot on 21 March. The final will take place on 23 March. All matches will be played at the Achimota Cricket Oval.
CSA Head of High Performance, Grant van Velden commented,” The inclusion of T20 cricket in the Africa Games is a testament to the evolving landscape of the sport in our region. It’s an exciting milestone for cricket on the continent. Our men's squad, composed of university talent, and the women’s squad, featuring SA Emerging players, represent the depth and diversity of cricketing talent in South Africa.
“Participating in the Africa Games is a tremendous opportunity for our players to showcase their skills on a larger stage and gain invaluable experience. We are eager to see them rise to the occasion.”
CSA Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe added, “CSA is committed to fostering the growth of the sport in our nation and across the continent. The Africa Games provide a unique platform to build camaraderie, sportsmanship, and leave a lasting impact on the cricketing landscape.”
CSA extends its best wishes to the athletes and management staff as they embark on their journey to Ghana. We trust that their dedication and performance will not only elevate the profile of cricket but also cultivate a harmonious collaboration between the cricket communities of South Africa and Ghana.
Team SA – Men’s Squad
Dylan Bester (UFS), Hardus Coetzer (NWU), Lehan Botha (SU), Ethan Frosler (NMU), Maahir Joseph (SU), Raps Motlhoaring (CUT), Lifa Ntanzi (UJ), Mini Ntobela (NWU), Heinrigh Pieterse (NWU), Jesse Prodehl (UWC), Jason Raubenheimer (CUT), Nathan Roux (UFS), Lwando Tywaku (UWC), George van Heerden (Captain) (SU) and Aphiwe Yako (UP)
Management
Conrad de Swardt (Head Coach), Bongani Ntini (Assistant Coach), Blanche Conradie (Team Manager), Hannah Bevis (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Joseph Ntseke (Physiotherapist)
Team SA – Women’s Squad
Nobulumko Baneti (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jemma Botha (Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Gandhi Jafta (Fidelity Titans), Leah Jones (Western Province), Simone Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (Western Province), Nondumiso Shangase (Captain) (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Recon Tactical Free State), Faye Tunnicliffe (Western Province), Jané Winster (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Caitlin Wyngaard (Western Province)
Management
Dinesha Devnarain (Head Coach), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Marica Letsoalo (Team Manager), Gabi-Lee van der Westhuizen (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Esther Bengu (Physiotherapist)
Fixtures
Women’s T20 Cricket
Group A: South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Nigeria
Thursday, 07 March @ 09h30 – South Africa vs Namibia
Friday, 08 March @ 09h30 – South Africa vs Tanzania
Sunday, 10 March @ 09h30 – South Africa vs Nigeria
Men’s T20 Cricket
Group A: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana
Sunday, 17 March @ 13h50 – South Africa vs Ghana
Monday, 18 March @ 13h50 – South Africa vs Kenya
Wednesday, 20 March @ 09h30 – South Africa vs Uganda
Source: cricket.co.za
Mickey Arthur (South African-Australian Cricket Coach, Commentator and Former Cricketer): South African-Australian former cricketer Mickey Arthur played for Free State, Griqualand West, and South Africa A before starting his coaching career with Griqualand West. He has coached the Pakistani, Australian, and South African national teams and now serves as the head coach of the Sri Lankan national team.
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Cricket became an Olympic sport in 1896. However, no matches were held because there was an insufficient number of teams who attended. Had the sport been played that year, cricket would have earned the distinction of being the only team sport to be played at the time. The first Olympic match in the next Olympics (1900) was participated in by the men’s teams. Great Britain (represented by the Devon and Somerset Wanderers) won gold.